April 21, 2010. Durango, CO. -
The 2009 defending national champions finished of what had been a tough spring season in some style with two wins over two division one opponents over the weekend. The Skyhawks whose spring season had been plagued with injury went to Denver to play against the University of Denver and Air Force Academy.
The Skyhawks kicked the weekend of in style in front of a packed house with over 2,000 fans turning out to fill the newly built CIBER field for its inaugural game. The Skyhawks boosted by a 50 strong alumni backing got off to the perfect start when on 14 minutes Thomas Hoang was sliced down in the box, giving Euan Purcell the chance to give his team the lead from the penalty spot which he duly obliged. The national champions added to their great start when junior Byron Cephers put a classy end to a great Skyhawks passing move with his first touch of the game in the 15th minute. The fans had to wait until the 54th minute before they would see more goals when sophomore Thomas Hoang headed home a Euan Purcell cross from the right.
The pioneers would respond in the 59th minute when newcomer Theoder Remman scored off a defensive mishap from the Skyhawks. Remmans headed goal would be one of the few moments of celebration for the home fans as the Skyhawks would put the result to bed in the 68th minute. In what was the move of the game the Skyhawks senior Euan Purcell broke down the right hand side of the field and put a low hard cross into his striking team mate David Barden at the top of the pioneers box, Barden showed super awareness to allow the ball run through his legs to Hoang who was left with an easy finish for his second of the night. Coach Kennedy commented “Leave it to our guys to spoil the party. DU has a super turnout and it was a great night of soccer worthy of this beautiful new venue. Not only did we play wonderful soccer tonight but we gave our fans something to cheer about, they were unbelievable as usual, they made what should have been an intimidating atmosphere just like a home game at Dirks for us. The players were outstanding every single one of them and it was great for them to show a top division one program just what Fort Lewis Soccer is all about.”
Sunday led to the second game for the Skyhawks as the travelled down from Denver to take on the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. The Skyhawks certainly looked to be feeling the effects from the DU game with Ryan Wirth having to make several key saves in the first half to keep them still in the game. However after some adjustments at the halftime a more familiar sight emerged onto the field as the Skyhawks possession game started to become more apparent and they started to establish a tighter grip on their opponents.
The Fort Lewis pressure continued to mount on their opponents and in the 75th minute they gave away a penalty. Thomas Hoang would step up for the Skyhawks only to see his initial effort well saved by the Air Force keeper and Hoang would lose balance as the rebound came to him and he put his shot narrowly wide of the mark. The pressure would continue and the Skyhawks were prevented from taking the lead by the Air Force crossbar after a fine header from Euan Purcell. And just as it looked as if the game was destined for stalemate up stepped sophomore defender Fabian Kling, his 25 yard free-kick curled into the top corner with five minutes to go would give the Skyhawks a deserved victory. Coach Kennedy remarked on the game” It has been a really tough spring with injuries I think at one point we had up to eight players out with injury. So it was really a great end of spring to have everybody back healthy and playing again. We take these games against division one opponents very seriously as it provides our players with the opportunity to prove that they are as good as anyone in the country no matter what division they are playing in”.
Coach Kennedy's remarks certainly seem to be on the money as the Skyhawks continue their winning record against division one opponents. The Skyhawks will give their 2009 team a last final send off this Friday at the concert hall at 6:30pm when they have their national championship ring ceremony. Everyone is welcome to this free event as we say goodbye to the record breaking national champions of 2009.
