HAWKS DENIED THREEPEAT - FALL TO ESSEX IN REGION FINAL

October 29, 2007 - After winning back to back Region XX Championships in 2005 and 2006, the men's soccer team were denied their third straight title, as they fell in the championship game to Essex 1-0.

The day was clear but cold, with the temperature in the 50's and winds gusting up to 20-25 MPH as the Hawks took the field for the Region XX Championship game, played at Chesapeake.   

The Hawks pressed the attack in the first half, and had the advantage in play, but outstanding play from Essex goalkeeper Justin Cherry kept the game scoreless at the half, 0-0.

Early in the second half, with 40:53 remaining, Essex's Angel Draganov received a red card for rough play, forcing the Knight's to play shorthanded the reminder of the game.  Going into the stiff wind, the Hawks pressed the attack.

Emotions were running high, as some pushing and shoving broke out with 26:57 remaining after a scramble in front of the Essex net after a CSM corner kick, but order was quickly restored and no cards were issued.

With 20:00 remaining, CSM turned up the intensity, and put intense pressure on the Essex goal, but the Hawks unable to find the back of the net, missing on several chances.

After eight minutes of being bottled up in their own end, Essex (12-5-1) finally broke out and had a scoring chance, but Hawk goalkeeper John Mueller made a superb save, diving and knocking the ball away with one hand to keep the game scoreless with 12:03 remaining.  Mueller came up big two minutes later, stopping blast from 20 yards out.

With just 2:16 left in regulation, Michael Sokolis broke the scoring drought, as he found net after receiving a throw-in from Kristopher Ward, to give Essex a 1-0 lead.

The Hawks continued to press the attack, and had an excellent scoring chance with less then a minute left, but Brandon Gross' shot went wide.

CSM finishes the season 14-4-1.  Three Hawks, Guil Costa, Dan Funk, and Brandon Gross were selected to the All Tournament Team.