The Hawks lose their opening game of the year 3-2 to Columbia College

Chicago, IL. - After such a fantastic season last year the Hawks got their 2009 campaign off to the worst possible start on Friday night as they suffered a disappointing 3-2 home defeat to a sprightly Columbia College side.

The visitors opened the scoring on the half hour mark when a superb Lloyd Jacobs free kick flew into the top corner of the Hawks net. The goal was well deserved but the home team got themselves back on level terms in the 40^th minute of the game when Ciaran Kohli-Lynch smashed a back post volley into the visiting teams net to even the score at 1-1 going into the break.

In the second half the game swung in Columbia's favour during a crazy 2 minute period when the visiting team grabbed two quick fire goals. The first was scored by Yudai Yamaguchi in the 55^th minute, when he somehow managed to loft the ball from the edge of the box over a stranded Jared Svaldi in the Hawks goal. Before the home team could regain their feet Columbia were awarded a soft penalty just a minute later that Dylan Barduzzi expertly converted to put the Cougars into a comfortable 3-1 lead.

The Hawks did pull a goal back with just two minutes left in the game, through a David Rojo shot after a desperate scramble in the box, but in the end Columbia ran out deserved 3-2 winners to condemn the Hawks to their first loss of the season.

The Hawks are back in action again this Saturday as they take on the 2nd ranked team in the country - Rio Grande. Kick off is at 5pm at Keating Sports Field.