Hawks Soar to State Soccer Finals

After an exciting 3-2 win on Tuesday over Kidron Central Christian in the Division III State semifinals, the men`s varsity soccer team traveled to Columbus on November 9 to face Springfield Catholic Central at Crew Stadium for the State championship. An impressive five busloads, a school van and several carloads of Hawken students also went to Columbus to cheer on the team. The Hawks controlled the game from the opening kickoff. Jake McKay `09 scored the first goal of the game, and Springfield Catholic Central came back to tie the game. As had been the case in each of the playoff games, the team was aggressive and attacking. Although tied at the half, the team felt confident that it would come out in the second half and put another ball at the back of the net. Unfortunately, three great shots came up just short. Hawken Athletic Director George Long said, \"the game was the best I have seen all year. Our boys played with poise. The director from the OHSAA couldn`t say enough about this being the largest crowd they had seen in years at a Division III finals, and continued to say that our team and fans were exactly what the OHSAA is all about.\" Although the Hawks lost in nail-biting overtime as Springfield scored the winning goal, the team earned the respect of the soccer community across the entire state of Ohio. \"You guys were the best team we faced all year. Your players were also the classiest,\" said players from St. Thomas Aquinas just a week earlier. Head of School Scott Looney echoed those sentiments by saying, \"I was really proud of how our team played.\" The men`s soccer team had an impressive season highlighted by several key games. The team`s successful season began with a tie at Orange. The Hawks trailed 2-0 early and scored twice in the second half to tie the game and avoid beginning the season with a loss. From there the team amassed an impressive record against several strong teams, being challenged by perennial powerhouses Notre Dame Cathedral Latin and Division II ranked Chagrin Falls. Both games were wins for the Hawks. In the District championship the Hawks faced the team that has kept them from reaching their State goal for the past two seasons: Wickliffe. This year the boys prevailed and went on to decisive wins against regional opponent Kinsman and then St. Thomas Aquinas where they took control in the second half of the game. The Hawks only gave up five goals during the entire tournament. In the State semifinal game, amid falling snow and sleet and rain, the boys pulled out a victory not only between the pipes and the yellow lines, but also within themselves. They reached back to the disappointment of Wickliffe and the District finals of the past two years and found strength within themselves. They were challenged at every turn and instead of turning away, they stood tall and faced challenges head on. Considering the adversity during the season, with several injuries to key players, the Hawks were, in every sense of the word, a team in each game. There was never one player who stood out from the rest; each game had a different hero. They have played with poise and a high level of respect for the game.