A True Playoff Game

The two teams took to their sides in the first round of the SDSA Men's Division 3 playoffs. It was the 3rd place Hawks vs the 6th place Tauro FC to see who would advance to the next round and push forward to the final coveted Championship Trophy.

It was a defensive battle off the start with both teams playing tight and a little slow. The chess match ensued until Rob Hydomako cruised down the left side of the field, beat an opponent and sniped a sharp angle shot into the far top corner to put Tauro FC up 1-0!

The Hawks didn't back down and a few minutes later a long chip pass was sent to an attacking forward. The forward flicked the ball forward towards the goal and his attacking midfielder ran forward onto the ball. The Tauro FC defensemen Sheldon Mathies didn't follow his man as he though the keeper would get the ball. The keeper thought Sheldon would get the ball. Needless to say it was an open shot at point blank range and the score was 1-1. (Sidenote: it was Sheldon's fault for not marking his man...never leave your man in front of the net!)

The halftime came and the Tauro FC guys were gasping for breath. Having just played in a co-ed soccer tournament all weekend a number of the players were worn out. But Isaac Hayes, the Tauro FC keeper, came in with a rousing half time speech to get the boys fired up! Tauro FC came out flying in the second half and when Robin Dalshaug passed the ball from the corner right in front of the net Kent Worthington was there to put away the go ahead goal.

But the lead didn't last long as the Hawks weren't about to give up. In a mad scramble of legs near the net a Hawks player managed to get off a shot and went into the bottom corner of the net just out of Isaac's diving reach.

With 3 minutes left to play it was time to give it one last push. Player/Coach Sheldon Mathies put Kurt Manz into a midfield position (he normally plays striker) in order to give us more attacking power. Suddenly a quick transition and a pass from Rob sent Kurt hurting towards the opposing net. Fighting off a defender that was right on his side, Kurt got a step on him and fired a shot into the back of the net. The Tauro FC bench went wild, but there was still 2 minutes to play.

And the Hawks weren't about to give up. Pushing all 5 men forward the Hawks were on the attack. Our Tauro FC played strong team defense and though the pressure was intense, the final 3 whistles from the referee were blown and Tauro FC advance to the next round of playoffs on Monday April 10th at 8:15pm with a 3-2 victory!