Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jeff Bennett Hawks mid-fielder Taylor Metz pushes a West Valley player out of the way in an attempt to push the ball up field. Metz won that round,but the Hawks fell to West Valley 1-0

The Las Positas College Hawks held their own against a tough West Valley team on Sept. 18, but still came out on the losing end of a 1-0 decision. Midfielder Ferid Celosmanovic scored the lone goal of the game less than two minutes into the second half and that was all that visiting West Valley would need.
West Valley had several good scoring chances in the first half but was unable to capitalize on them, thanks to solid goaltending and strong defensive play from the Hawks.
During one sequence Jonathan Villegas of LPC made consecutive stops on a West Valley attacker to prevent a good scoring chance. His coach noticed his strong performance and listed him as one of the top players at the end of the game.
Another player making big plays for the Hawks was central marker Tyler Bell who played almost the entire game. One of his highlight plays came in the second half when he hustled down the field to break up a two on one for West Valley .
During halftime West Valley coach Gaspar Silveira told his players they had played a good first half, but needed to play better.
"I told them to come out strong and turn the tide, put pressure on the ball, and get the ball to the net" said Silveira.
Silveira's players listened and West Valley came out firing. After their first shot went wide left, they were finally able to find the back of the net on a nice shot from Ferid Celosmanovic. Celosmanovic was a strong force for West Valley all day, creating chances, and getting shots to the net.
"Ferid is always a threat with the ball" said coach Silveira. "He's an engine for us, real savvy."
West Valley sat comfortably on their lead until the last few minutes, when Las Positas really turned it up and almost scored a desperation goal.
Despite the loss, this game was a good experience for a young team - 26 freshmen - playing against one of the top junior college teams in the state - 2006 Coast Conference Champions.
The team will move on to their next game against Cabrillo College on Sept. 26. To prepare for that game, Coach Ramiro Rodriguez is going to have his players "work on finishing (chances), and creating goal situations."
The players agree that they need to do more to create opportunities and get more shots off.
"Just kicking the ball around leads to counter attacks" said forward Danny Daughton.

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