While the Ladyhawks may have dropped their final game of their first WAGS season by a disappointing 1-0 score, the season can be classified as nothing less than a great success.  Although the final standings will show that the Ladyhawks finished in fourth place, with just a couple of breaks in the final two games, the Ladyhawks could have finished in first place. 

Following yesterday's loss, coach Dennis accurately summed up the game in two words: "Missed Opportunities".  In the game's first half, the Ladyhawks gave up the only goal of the contest when we failed to clear a corner kick that dropped in front of the net.  The loose ball was banged in on a scramble in front.  Prior to that goal, the hawks had no less than four golden opportunities that either went wide or high over the net. 

In the second half, the Ladyhawks continued to press and again had great scoring opportunities.  The last one coming with under 30 seconds remaining.  However, from only 18 yards out, an uncontested shot on net went up and over the cross bar and with it, any hopes of a first place finish.  

Although it was a disappointing ending, the Ladyhawks should take stock in what they have accomplished this season.  They proved that they are capable of playing with anyone in our division.  The Ladyhawks were the only team to beat the first and second place finishers.  The Ladyhawks only allowed eight goals in the entire season.  Three of which were scored in one game when our starting keeper was unable to play.  But most importantly, in spite of the injuries, adversity, and sometimes plain old bad luck, the Ladyhawks never gave anything less, than everything they had, in every game. 

Thank you for the effort and dedication you displayed all season long!

Although we still have a couple of tournaments remaining before a well deserved summer break, we as coaches will be working hard to improve our weaknesses and solidify our strengths in the off season.  Unfortunately, we will be losing a couple of our key players to the college ranks.  Therefore, the Ladyhawks will be seeking additional skilled, hardworking, impact players to round out our squad.  These players, combined with our great nucleus of returning Ladyhawks will undoubtidly make for an equally exciting fall season.  Get ready for another fun ride!

GO LADYHAWKS!

Some teams seem bring the worst out in you.  That appears to be the case when the Ladyhawks take on the Thunder Flash.  While the Thunder Flash are an excellent team, they also have the second worst defense in the league.  However, throughout the entire contest, the Ladyhawks were unable to mount any consistent offensive attack and were shutout for the first time this season. 

Very reminiscent of the first encounter with the Thunder Flash, it was a beautiful day and a gusty wind was blowing.  Also just like the first game, the game winning goal was given up on an errant goal kick that went directly to a Thunder Flash forward who fired it uncontested past the Ladyhawk goalie.  Although that goal was scored only 20 minutes into the first half, that would be the only score of the game.  With the wind at the Ladyhawks back in the first half, the Hawk offense had a minimum of five excellent goal scoring opportunities.  In the second half, the Ladyhawks were unable to mount any consistent offensive threat.  In a game where virtually ALL the Ladyhawks played well and hard; as a team, the Ladyhawks lacked the cohesion necessary to sustain any consistent offensive pressure.

While frustrations were high following the game, a close inspection of the game reveals that the Ladyhawks, in playing their worst game of the season, only lost 1-0 and are still in contention for the leagues top spot.  While the Ladyhawks no longer control their own destiny, they still have a shot for the top prize in the U-17 division.  With a little help from the Wild Katz in their match against the Olny Tigers on June 4th, the Ladyhawks could still win the Division.  In order to accomplish this, the Ladyhawks MUST regroup and WIN their final game against the DCS Warriors.  That win, coupled with a Wild Katz win or tie against the Olny Tigers would enable the Ladyhawks to win the U-17 Division. 

All things considered, it's been a great season and it's not over yet.  Despite the frustration following yesterday's performance, we need COME TOGETHER.  What's really important is to look (AND LOOK HARD) at where we are, how far we have come, and most importantly, how much we can still accomplish!

  There is a quote from the movie Dangerous Liaisons, in which the actress Glenn Close said: “I've distilled every thing to one single principle: win or die."  That was about the situation the Ladyhawks found themselves in as they entered Sunday’s contest against the first place Olny Tigers.  The undefeated Tigers entered the game with a record of 2-0-2 and a total of 8 points.  A win over the Ladyhawks would virtually assure the Tigers of the U-17 Division 5 crown with only two games remaining.  The Ladyhawks on the other hand found themselves in the position where they controlled their own destiny.  If the Ladyhawks won all of their remaining three games they could win the Division themselves.

So the stage was set.  The Ladyhawks and Tigers went head to head at the 9:00 AM Mothers Day contest.  On a day that was cool and overcast, the Ladyhawks needed every advantage they could get.  As usual, the Ladyhawks were forced to go into battle at far less than full strength.  The Ladyhawks played with only twelve players and would need the cool weather to keep the 90 minute contest from taking too great a toll.  Like two heavy weight fighters, the two teams pounded each other for the first 45 minutes with the first half ending in a scoreless draw.  In an exciting first half, both teams had several great scoring chances.  Kari Cleland barely missing a goal on a crossing pass that she nailed with her left foot just before the ball touched the ground.  The ball sailed just inches wide of the left post.  The Tigers had their opportunity too when a ball was crossed to a forward standing all alone in front of the net.  Fortunately for the Ladyhawks, she fired the shot up and over the cross bar.  The rest of the first half was marked with crisp passing and hard hitting.  Both teams giving as good as they got.

The play in the second half began much the same way as the first half had ended, with more physical play.  At about 8 minutes into the second half, the Ladyhawks were fouled near mid field.  On a seemingly innocent free kick by Ashley Mercado, she found forward Taylor Williams breaking down the right side toward the net.  Taylor taking the pass on the run fired a shot from the top of the eighteen yard box that sailed past the goalie into the left corner of the net.  The energized Ladyhawks continued to carry the play for about the next five minutes.  However, after the Tigers regained their composure, the intensity heated up and so the number of fouls.  The typical ebb and flow of the game produced many scoring chances on both sides.  In the end, the Ladyhawks were able to hold on to a hard earned 1-0 victory over an outstanding Olny Tigers club.

The win propelled the Ladyhawks into first place by one point over the Olny Tigers with only two tough games remaining.  On this Monday morning, the Ladyhawks still control their own destiny and the single principle still applies: “Win or Die”!

The Ladyhawks had hoped to begin their second half run with a whole and healthy team.  However, that was not to be the case when the Ladyhawks traveled to Fredericksburg, Virginia, for Sunday's contest against the Stafford Wild Katz.  Fortunately for the Ladyhawks, their improving health allowed them to compete with thirteen players which was by far their best level of player participation. 
  
The Ladyhawks offense received an immediate adrenaline shot with Kari Cleland back in the lineup.  The offense with Kari, Lindsey, Taylor and Sara now reunited, combined with some excellent midfield play by Erica, Kelsi, Dani, and newly acquired Christina Marsh, resulted in the first Ladyhawk goal approximately 20 minutes into the contest.  With the Wild Katz attempting to break up the left sideline, Sara Hamby poked the ball away from the Wild Katz fullback to a waiting Erica.  Erica who immediately spotted Kari, led her with a prefect pass as Kari got a step on the defender and broke in on goal.  From about the top of the eighteen yard box, Keri fired the ball passed a diving Wild Katz goalie for a 1-0 Ladyhawk lead.  Despite some excellent chances by Taylor, Lindsey and Sara, the score remained 1-0 at halftime. 

At the start of the second half, the Wild Katz did some flying of their own and controlled most of the play for the first ten minutes of the second half.  However, the makeshift Ladyhawk defense, (who are still without two of their starting fullbacks,) played tough and maintained the 1-0 lead despite constant pressure by the Wild Katz.  At approximately eighteen minutes into the second half, the offense got back into gear and tallied their second goal of the contest when Sara made a great crossing pass to Kari charging the back post. The goalie tried to make the stop but the momentum carried the fullback, Kari, the loose ball, and the goalie into the net.  With a 2-0 lead, the Ladyhawks  relied heavily on their defense for the remainder of the game.  The defense, anchored by Cari in goal and Erin, Khourtni, Ashley & Leigh at fullbacks remained air tight throughout.  Their excellent defensive play allowed the Ladyhawks to notch their first shutout of the season.   

It has been said that: a person shows what she is, by what she does, with what she has.  The Ladyhawks have played under adversity throughout the entire first half of the season.  Yet despite it all, the Ladyhawks remain in excellent position to challenge for the top spot in the WAGS U-17 Division.

Well Done Ladies!  It's going to be an exciting remainder of the season.  Enjoy the ride!

The Ladyhawks endured their most frustrating loss to date dropping a 3-1 decision to the Alexandria Avanti on Sunday.

The Ladyhawks who have been beset with injuries throughout this early season were hoping to get several players back for game three. However, the only one who answered the bell was starting right fullback Melissa Hopta.  As if things couldn't get any worse for the Ladyhawks, four additional players were unavailable for duty at game time.  The end result was that the Ladyhawks were forced to play a man down for the entire game with only ten players.

The Ladyhawks critical losses included their starting and backup goalies, two of their three starting defensive fullbacks, and their starting center forward.  Of the ten available field players, Missy was still hampered with a chronic knee injury and Danielle was playing on an injured achilles tendon which significantly impaired their effectiveness.  By games end, Erin Bryce had sustained debilitating injuries and Ashley Mercato was moved to goalie due to her inability run as a result of injuries suffered during the game.

Despite it all, the Ladyhawks played tough.  Their hardwork paid off when newly acquired left wing Lindsey Buckner muscled her way by two defenders and fired a shot past the Avanti keeper for a 1-0 lead.  The Ladyhawks maintained their slim lead despite several close calls into halftime.

In the second half, it became apparent that the tide was changing.  The price for playing shorthanded and without any ability to substitute fresh players finally caught up with the Hawks.  At 65 minutes into the contest, an Avanti forward got a step on the beleaguered defense, broke in unchallenged on the goalie and tied the score. The Alexandria club scored the go ahead goal approximately 5 minutes later on a crossing pass to an unguarded forward standing alone just outside at the right post. The third and final goal was scored on a scramble in front of the net on a corner kick.  The Ladyhawks continued to press until the final whistle.  Which as always, is a testament to their pride and spirit.

To the ten Ladyhawks (Kelsi, Lindsey, Taylor, Erika, Erin, Missy, Dani, Ashley, Sara, & Khourtni) who gave so much of themselves, THANK YOU for an amazing effort!

To all our Ladyhawks on the mend, we need you and miss you!  Please get well soon.  Fortunately, have three weeks until our next game.  I have no doubt that when we take the field with a whole and healthy squad we'll be a force to be reckoned with for the remainder of the season.

To our entire Ladyhawk family, our parents, friends, and supporters, may you all have a Blessed Easter Season.

Coach Danny  

With no mercy from the WAGS scheduler, the Ladyhawks were forced to play a Sunday morning contest against the tough and well rested DCS Warriors.  The Warriors, who the Ladyhawks had defeated (2-1) in the Freestate tournament, were out to exact a measure of revenge.  The Ladyhawks, who were expecting another physical contest from the Warriors were not disappointed.

In the first half, as expected, bodies were flying.  However, the Ladyhawks drew first blood when Forward Kari Cleland was hammered to the ground in the penalty area.  The always reliable Kari banged the Penalty Kick off the inside of the left post for a 1-0 Ladyhawk lead.

As if things couldn't get worse for the shorthanded Ladyhawks, midway through the first half, the hawks lost yet another player, their starting Left Wing (Lindsey Buckner) with a possible concussion.  The injury occurred when she and a Warrior defender attempted to head a ball and the two players collided and banged heads. 

The Ladyhawks, again without any substitute players, continued to play tenacious and hard nosed defense.  However, as a result of the previous day's game and with no ability to substitute players for the second straight day, the Ladyhawks were running on empty.

With approximately ten minutes left in the contest, a Warrior forward got a step on the exhausted Ladyhawk defenders and tied the game.  The shot was taken from a sharp angle from the right side of the net and barely eluded the diving Ladyhawk goalie.

With the Ladyhawks apparently on the ropes, the Warriors continued to press the offensive. However, the Ladyhawks were not quite through yet.  In typical Ladyhawk fashion, they dug deep within themselves and found their last ounce of reserve.

With less than three minutes remaining, the Ladyhawks connected on a through ball and broke in on the Warrior goalie. With three Ladyhawks sprinting toward the goal, Taylor lifted the ball just over a diving goalie for the game winning goal!

The win enabled the Ladyhawks to even their record at 1-1 and moves them into second place tie in this young WAGS season.  Well Done Ladies!

"A person shows what she is by what she does with what she has."

From the entire coaching Staff: 

Thank You for another amazing and exhilarating effort.  But mostly for  your ability to bring forth that special quality each of you possess that will not allow you to give anything less than giving your all.

Finally:

My will shall shape the future.
Whether I fail or succeed shall be no one's doing but my own.
I am the force.
I can clear any obstacle before me or I can be lost in a maze.
My choice, my responsibility.
Win or lose, only I hold the key to my destiny.

Go Ladyhawks!

The Ladyhawks entered this weekends season openers hoping to battle through major injuries, a difficult schedule and two tough and well coached opponents.

The Ladyhawks, although thrilled with their second place finish in the Freestate Capitol Cup Tournament, had paid a high price for their hard work.  The Ladyhawks were without two of their starting fullbacks, Lori (hip injury), Missy (knee injury), and starting midfielder Ashley Mercado.  As a result, the Ladyhawks were forced to go with thirteen players in  Saturday's contest against the TSC Thunder Flash at (windy) Schooley Mill Park, in Highland, Maryland.  

Unfortunately for the Ladyhawks, their dire situation quickly got worse.  At approximately ten minutes into the contest, the Ladyhawks lost their Stopper Sweeper, Ashley Queen with a fractured right ankle.  Without Ashley's outstanding clearing ability, and without the ability to substitute players, the Ladyhawks were unable to hold their 1-0 first half lead and dropped a 2-1 heartbreaker to an excellent Thunder Flash squad.