SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Cosumnes River men's soccer team looks to build on their strong first match performance later today, as CRC heads to Redwood City to take on the Colts of Canada College. The Hawks, who played a talented Feather River squad to a 1-1 draw in their home opener, will take on a Canada team making their 2013 season debut at home this afternoon. CRC soundly defeated the Colts last season in their home opener, 4-0.
The Hawks staff was encouraged by the team's showing in yesterday's practice, working on a number of different things prior to today's match. During yesterday's session, the Hawks worked more on finding and playing off of their center forward. "Our center forward player is critical in giving us depth and movement up front, so players like Deondre Hamblin and Jesus Cota will be our deadly threat for scoring," said first-year assistant coach Brandon Evangelista. A couple players in particular who stood out yesterday were forwards Cota and Isaac McDaniel, and midfielders Jose "PC" Torres and Eliezer Ramos.
Assistant coach Evangelista believes in their match against Canada, the Hawks midfielders will play a much greater role in the match. "I feel our four midfielders will play a big role for us in keeping possession, and linking with our forwards to create a lot of scoring chances," said Evangelista after yesterday's training session. "Players like Luis Acosta and Ramos (will) be key in the attacking part in our formation."
As it's early in the season, and Canada hasn't played a match yet, the Hawks don't have a lot to go on in terms of game planning for their opponent today. However, the two teams have faced off in a series of nonconference matches over the years, and have developed some familiarity between the programs. "In the past Canada has been a more physical team who likes to get stuck into tackle," replied Evangelista on today's opponent. "They usually have a lot of speed to their system and play a lot of long balls to their quicker players to run on to."
Today's match is scheduled for 4 PM at Canada College in Redwood City. The Hawks return home next week, when they play host to the Roadrunners of Butte College on Tuesday. That match is scheduled for a 4 PM kickoff as well.