Hawks Beat Pride in 2006 WPSL Opener
May 13, 2006

Georgetown player, Jessie Beers-Altman

Sacramento, CA - On a weekend when the San Francisco Nighthawks’ played and won four games (3 in the Premier Division of the 54 team, 8 division, regional Golden Gate Women’s Soccer League), the team opened its 2006 Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) season with a satisfying win over FC Sacramento Pride, Saturday night with 13 players suited up. Overall, the Hawks scored 15 goals over the weekend while only giving up 2.

It was an exciting and hard fought battle with both sides playing tough defense to open the match. The Hawks appeared confident, right from the opening touch, with more of the game being played on the attacking side of the field. Midway through the opening half, however, Sacramento scored off of a beautifully placed corner kick that quickly led to a header and a goal. While the Hawks had many more chances to score in the first half than the Pride, they were unsuccessful in finishing and no scores were tallied.

At half time, head coach Robert Sackey challenged the Hawks to play harder and smarter, to make better use of their center midfielders as playmakers, and to make more runs. Before retaking the pitch for the second half, Hawks’ players stepped forward and had an impromptu player’s meeting with each player offering-up how they were going to make a difference in the second half.

The second half no sooner began than former San Francisco State player, Ashley Relf, scored. Unfortunately, Relf was in the off sides position when she received the ball and the score was taken away. Not to worry, two minutes later former Georgetown player, Jessie Beers-Altman took a pass at the top of the penalty box and attacked the heart of the Pride’s defense to score …and this time the score stood, tying the game at 1-1. The Hawks continued their relentless attack and ten minutes later, Cristina Quintero, “Q” (the all-time scoring leader in San Francisco State University history), sent a shot into the back of the net to take a 2-1 lead.

The Hawks defense continued to stifle Sacramento’s offense until a Hawk defender sent a “short” ball back to Hawks’ keeper, Erin Clark (San Francisco State), that a Sacramento player overtook and put in the back of the net for the equalizer. The score remained tied at 2-2 until a Pride defender fouled a Hawks player just outside the top of the 18 yard box on the left side. Coach Sackey called for defender Kristi Christensen (Santa Rosa JC) to take the shot. As Sacramento set their wall, many of their players were yelling that the kick was going to an upper corner. Christensen listened and sent a hard ground ball past the wall and the keeper to the far post where it found “nothing but net” and put the Hawks up for good at 3-2.

The remaining 20 minutes was all about defense with the Hawks shutting down all remaining Sacramento attacks to come away with a “team” victory to start the 2006 WPSL season. The Hawks next WPSL league game, on May 20, will also be an away game, this time against San Francisco Bay Area rival, East Bay Power.

About the Women's Premier Soccer League: The WPSL is the highest level of women's soccer in the United States and one of the top leagues in the world. The mission is to provide the highest level of women's soccer while simultaneously providing affordable, quality family entertainment and positive role models for our youth.

The 39-team national league features international stars such as Sissi & Daniela, U.S. National Team members like Abby Wambach, Shannon Boxx, Lori Chalupny & Danielle Fotopoulos and legends like Brandi Chastain - among many others! For more information on the WPSL, visit www.wpsl.info. The WPSL is the only stand-alone national women's soccer league in the United States and is affiliated with FIFA and the U.S. Soccer Federation.