After a disappointing home loss vs. Franklin K. Lane Campus, the Hawks headed to Forest Hills High School to take on the Information Technology High School Blackhawks on Saturday, October 12th. The Hawks defeated the Blackhawks 3-1 in a much needed victory.
The Hawks had to start off strong, and they did. They began the game with an offensive mindset as a good ball from Sophomore Tiarnan Mathers to fellow Sophomore Branco Montero just barely missed the goal, but it was still a quick-paced start the Hawks desperately needed. Branco would capitalize, scoring on a good team effort, giving the Hawks a 1-0 lead.
The game would stay 1-0 into the second half, where the Hawks have struggled to stay strong in the past. The Blackhawks would then get a goal of their own to tie the game up at one goal apiece. The Hawks fought back, as Branco scored his second goal of the game and team-leading sixth goal of the season.
The Hawks were commanding the game, and later added on a third goal as Senior Daniel Yacar assisted Senior Michael Jazgarski for a goal that would cushion the Hawks’ lead at 3-1, which would ultimately be the final score.
Coach Matthew Curiale said “The boys played great for a full 80 minutes.”
The Hawks dominated the ball for most of the match, as Coach Curiale added, “Townsend Harris had a lot of possession during the game which led to the victory.”
The Hawks proved to be strong, as they were without Co-Captain Mateusz Chrobak, who was suspended for two games after receiving a red card against Franklin K. Lane Campus. Mateusz said, “We were forced to alter our lineup and our formation and everyone knew they had to step up.”
Goalie Syed Rahman had one of his best games of the season, as he saved 9 of 10 shots, and only letting one goal get passed him. He now has 76 saves on the season, and as goalie , he has been an integral part of the Hawks’ success this season. Syed said “I feel like I’ve done my part in helping this team get to where it is right now.”
The Hawks now sit at 4 wins, 3 losses, and 2 ties, all adding up to 14 points. This keeps the Hawks in third place in the Queens B III Division behind second place Metropolitan Campus and first place High School for Arts & Business.
The Hawks will get a crack at both of the teams one more time each in attempts to keep themselves close in the divisional race. The Hawks are getting closer to achieving a big goal, which is making the playoffs.
Senior Christian Castro said “We are really close to making it to the playoffs. We only need a couple more wins and that’s it.”
Fellow Senior and Co-Captain Daniel Yacar added that the Hawks “are more than capable of making the playoffs and competing.”
The Hawks’ next game is on Monday, October 14th at Francis Lewis High School against another tough opponent, this time the Queens Vocational and Technical High School Tigers.
