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FLC: Easy as 1-2-3
Top-seeded Skyhawks roll to 6-1 victory vs. No. 4 Regis
Herald Sports Editor
“Straight off the bat, we came out flying.”
Oige Kennedy, FLC coach
Two shots, two goals.
Three shots, three goals.
Even in its baby blues, Fort Lewis College played with the Midas touch.
The second-ranked side in the country spun its first three shots into gold Friday afternoon at Dirks Field, then touched Regis for three more goals as the top-seeded Skyhawks defeated No. 4 Regis 6-1 in the first and semifinal round of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament.
"We talked a bit before the match, and I think those conference nominations served as extra motivation for the boys," said Oige Kennedy, the Skyhawks' first-year coach who was passed over as RMAC coach of the year. Several players were snubbed, too, and the player of the year award, which Kennedy felt belonged in Durango, landed in Denver instead.
"Straight off the bat, we came out flying." Less than a minute into the match, Dimosthenis Kyrmanidis used his big left leg to give the 'Hawks a big 1-0 lead. He scored at the 40-second mark after great construction from Jamie Cunningham, David Barden and Thomas Hoang.
Cunningham played a hard, direct pass from the back row to Barden on the front line. The senior co-captain, with his back to the goal, dropped a pass to Hoang, moving forward on the attack. After a few dribbles, Hoang laid it off wide to Kyrmanidis.
"(Regis goalkeeper Wally Fink) took one step to the right, and I went near post," Kyrmanidis said. "I was focusing on the ball, but as soon as I hit it, I saw him step up." Fink was playing the cross, but Kyrmanidis was thinking goal.
Barden scored 13 minutes later on a cross from Kyrmanidis for a 2-0 lead.
Kyrmanidis centered off the end line, and Barden one-touched the pass from the 8-yard line off defenseman Alex Howieson's hip inside the far post.
Hoang, one minute later, finished another brilliant build-up with a hard strike inside the far post for a 3-0 lead.
Tom Settle played the in-ball to Barden, and the senior striker again dropped a pass for Hoang. This time the sophomore super-sub kept it for himself. After a couple of dribbles, he cocked his right leg for a tight ground ball goal from about 25 yards out.
"Everyone is stepping in to help reach our goals," Kyrmanidis said. "Thomas, Cory (Dean), they didn't start at the beginning of the season ... they've stepped up when we needed them." Hoang has started four consecutive games in place of injured center midfielder Keane Hamilton (junior).
Dean started Friday in place of senior co-captain Jeff Jennings, who served a one-game suspension.
"They both deserve shots," Kennedy said. "And with any other team, they would've gotten that shot earlier in the season. They are two special players, and we haven't missed a beat.
"Thomas was a top-quality player when we recruited him here, and now he's showing that quality." Hoang has six goals, five assists and 17 points in 15 games this season.
Hamilton, who broke his nose and collarbone in an Oct. 23 tackle against Metro State at Dirks Field, is out indefinitely.
Euan Purcell, the conference's leading scorer, also was hurt in that game. He suffered a concussion when defenseman Jamey King pushed him to the ground then stepped on his head as he passed. Purcell, who dressed for Friday's game, has not played since.
"He hasn't practiced in two weeks, so we want to hold him back a little bit," said Kennedy, who could've played the senior striker but chose otherwise. "We didn't feel like risking it. We'll re-evaluate him again Sunday, then make our decision." Joe Barnd, Purcell's replacement in the starting lineup, scored in the 32nd minute to give FLC a 4-0 lead.
The shutout was broken three minutes later.
Gary Cole left a ball for Jordan Brandel near the 40-yard line, then Cole swept wide to set up the give-and-go. Brandel kept the give, however, and pivoted to score a deep 40-footer to the far post over an outstretched Zane Wells.
Settle scored a penalty kick three minutes later to give FLC a 5-1 lead at halftime.
Wells, in goal on the opposite side of the pitch with less than 10 seconds to play, didn't make it to the break without injury.
Fink punted a ball end to end, and Kyle Emge ran under it - and over Wells - at the far end of the goalie box as time expired. Emge received a yellow card, and Wells received a shoulder injury; he is questionable for Sunday's game, too.
Ryan Wirth spelled Wells in goal for the second 40 and earned a clean sheet.
"Ryan came in and did well," said Kennedy, who claimed Wells had just three-quarters of movement in his shoulder after the game. "Ryan's ready to play." Abdel Becerra, from Hoang, finished the scoring in the 88th minute.
Fort Lewis left little suspense in which Metro State's opponent would be Sunday. There will be plenty of suspense, however, leading up to and come the 1 p.m. game time.
Wells left Game 1 - a 2-0 FLC win Sept. 27 in Denver - with a dislocated finger after a collision in the box.
Hamilton left Game 2 - a 1-0 FLC win Oct. 23 in Durango - with broken bones after a collision at midfield.
Purcell, as mentioned, hasn't played since King clowned him with his spikes. The tall 6-foot-4 defender, subject of expulsion, served a one-game suspension then returned to the pitch Friday in Metro's 2-1 tournament-semifinal victory in shootouts.
King, à la The Mad Hungarian, started with his back to the goal, then turned and rushed the game-winning PK to complete Metro's victory against No. 2 seed Colorado Mines.
"We want to beat the best teams, and Metro is one of the best teams," Kennedy said.
"We're No. 2 in the country right now, though. We don't really fear anybody, especially here at Dirks Field." aaron@durangoherald.com
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