Feb. 28, 2010
FLC opened the 2010 season on Feb. 26 & 27 with a win against University of New Mexico and a loss against Texas Tech. After a 10 hour drive from the chilly mountains of Durango, Colorado through New Mexico then on to Lubbock, Texas, FLC lax took to the field against Division 1Texas Tech.
In the first 30 seconds of the game, TT stung FLC on a fast break goal. After 6 weeks in the gym since the Fort’s fields were hip deep in snow, the FLC athlete’s had a hard time finding their spacing and rhythm during the entire first half. TT tallied another goal, then Fort brought it within 1 as Erik Johnson hit power shooting freshman Fred Waddle to make it 2-1 at the end of the first quarter.
Tech capitalized on FLC’s poor field positioning pouring in 4 goals to the Fort’s 1 in the second quarter.
With the start of the second half, FLC initiated a settled offense and improved the defensive slides. Andy Grenhart and Erik Johnson combined for 3 goals in the third quarter, to Tech’s 2 goals.
FLC continued to play much improved ball into the fourth quarter pulling to within 2 in the last 5 minutes. After several good scoring opportunities by FLC on a man-up situation, TT pulled away with several more goals. Final score TT 12 – FLC 8.
As a coach, I just have to wonder what the outcome would be if TT and FLC’s position was reversed. This was TT’s 5th game, after having practiced for 6 weeks outside on the field. FLC played even with TT during the full second half, and the improvement in just that one game was tremendous.
The next morning FLC played University of New Mexico. Motivated by the loss to TT, FLC played a more controlled possession oriented game. The players utilized the field more efficiently with good defensive positioning and offensive sets. Erik Johnson and Fred Waddle both tallied a goal in the first quarter to UNM’s 1.
Feeling more comfortable and confident, the defense limited UNM to just 1 goal in the second quarter as the Hawks surged with 4 goals.
With a comfortable lead going into the second half, Fort was able to work on offensive ball movement, midfield control, and the defense. Fortunately all of the Sky Hawks 19 players saw good game time.
The game ended with FLC 11 – New Mexico 4.
With a great learning weekend, the Hawks head to Arizona on March 4 to play Northern Arizona, then head to California for games against Biola, Cal State Fullerton, and Cal State Long Beach.
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