WOMEN'S SOCCER WEATHERS TOUGH EARLY SCHEDULE

September 27, 2004 - On Tuesday, Sept. 7, the CSM women's team opened the season against Howard (ranked 6th in the nation in Division III) and after a very hard fought battle came away with a 1-0 defeat. 

    Howard was aggressive from the start, and had the Hawks on their heels for a good portion of the match.  CSM was able to regroup, and begin to press the Dragons, and had several good shots on goal.  Despite the outstanding effort of the defense, and goalie Kelly Hickman, who had 15 saves, Howard was able to put one in the net after one of their many corner kicks.  The Hawks had some first game jitters, but were able to settle down and stay even with a strong Howard team.

    After a forfeit win over Harford, CSM faced Anne Arundel (ranked 9th in Division I).  The Hawks played hard, and didn't show any of the jitters they had shown in their first game, and played even with the Pioneers.  Anne Arundel was able to score their first goal after a serious injury to a CSM player, and they then begin to wear down the Hawks, scoring two more goals for a 3-0 win.  CSM was able play a much more organized second half and was able to produce several charges that produced quality scoring chances.

    The task didn't get any easier for the Hawks in their next game, as they faced Catonsville, ranked 3rd in the country for Division I.  CSM was able to score their first two goals of the season, but they fell to the Cardinals 6-2.

    The Hawks finally faced a team that wasn't one of the top ranked teams in the country, and came away with a 2-0 win over Frederick.  CSM followed up with a tie against the West Virginia JV, 1-1.  The Hawks played a strong game against the Mountaineers, but wore down a little at the end, allowing the tying goal in the second half.

    CSM (2-3-1) will travel to Essex and Allegany this week, before returning home on Saturday, October 2 to face Potomac State at noon.  Saturday is homecoming at CSM, and there will also be a volleyball match at noon against Potomac State, and a men's soccer game at 2:00 PM, also against Potomac State as well as many other homecoming festivities.