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A showcase of goals and talent

Skyhawks’ varsity rallies past their alumni for a 7-3 victory

A laser off the right foot of Fabian Kling gave the 2014 Fort Lewis College men’s soccer team a glimpse of a national champion.

The Skyhawks didn’t have to look far Saturday to see a plethora of All-Americans, national champions and even a few professional caliber players such as Kling.

The FLC alumni team took the pace of play to the 2014 Skyhawks during the opening minutes of Saturday’s Alumni Day game at Dirks Field on the FLC campus. Kling, a Chivas USA draft pick and the captain of the 2011 national championship-winning men’s soccer team, delivered a howitzer on a direct free kick from 35 yards out to give the alumni a 1-0 lead just two minutes into the game.

Thomas Hoang added another alumni goal minutes later, leaving the 2014 Skyhawks wondering what hit them.

But it was some encouraging words from Kling that kept this year’s FLC men’s soccer team motivated during the annual exhibition.

“Kling was talking to me during the game, encouraging the guys when we were down 2-0,” FLC junior midfielder Yannis Becker said. “That helped us a lot.”

The Skyhawks’ varsity answered and scored five consecutive goals before allowing one final alumni goal to Casey Dean. The 2014 FLC men’s team went on to secure a 7-3 victory behind a pair of goals from senior Cesar Castillo, a two-time transfer who came to FLC after stints with University of California-Santa Barbara and Cerritos College. FLC sophomore midfielder Tamino Kroeger, of Germany, also stepped up with one goal and two assists.

Also scoring goals for FLC were Becker, Maik Brandt, Luke Lawrence and Elliot Prost.

After seeing seven goals go in Saturday, FLC head coach Oige Kennedy is excited about his team’s attacking ability, especially with Becker returning to the lineup after suffering a knee injury in the third game of the season last year. Even with that knee injury, Becker finished sixth on the team in goals in 2013 with four.

“It is so good to have Yannis and Elliot Prost back healthy again, and we have Marcel (Enghardt) back on defense, and he was injured last year, too,” Kennedy said. “Having those guys back and other guys also coming true and taking responsibility, I think we have a real good group.”

The Skyhawks are looking to improve upon their 2013 season in which they went 11-8-1 overall and 7-7 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

The biggest question mark for the Skyhawks comes at the traditionally tradition-rich goalkeeper position. Kennedy still is trying to pick a starter between Ryan Pakieser and Ryan Schaul.

“It’s been quite a battle. I have to figure it out, but I’m still working on it,” said Kennedy, a former goalkeeper on the Irish junior national side. “One day one is doing well and the other is struggling, and the next day it is vice versa. At some point, one has to come stand out, and I do think we’re getting close to that point.”

There is little question about the Skyhawks’ ability to score goals. Becker is thrilled to be playing alongside Castillo, Kroeger and brothers Luke and Zac Lawrence.

“It is absolutely fun to play with those guys. Cesar is coming in new, and what a quality player he is,” Becker said. “Zac, we know already what a good winger he is, and Luke is going to score important goals for us. I appreciate all of them, and it is so fun to be with them.”

After recovering from knee surgery, Becker played in the Premier Development League in Canada all summer. He said there is no question about his knee being back to 100 percent.

Kennedy also is excited about the play of sophomore midfielder Malik Badawi and freshman defender Isaac Currie.

Becker said he believes the Skyhawks have what it takes to contend on a national level this season, and it all will begin at 3 p.m. Friday at home against Midwestern State.

“We will come together slowly but surely. We have to improve defensively and not concede as many goals, but I think going forward we look very good,” Kennedy said. “We will play very exciting football, and I think we’re going to be a team that gets lots of goals and continues to progress through the season.”

jlivingston@durangoherald.com

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