Hawks disappointed with way their season concluded

By Curt Herron

No team wants to see its season come to an end with the cloud of 'what might have been' hanging over their heads.

But it was difficult not to feel that such was the case for Bartlett as it saw its successful year end on Saturday.

The Hawks had won seven of their last eight matches before falling in the Class 3A Wheaton North regional finals.

Wheaton North scored the first two goals and then withstood a late Bartlett challenge in which it scored a goal.

It brought the conclusion to a good season for the Hawks, who posted a 15-6 record under first-year coach Ben Beary.

What hurt Bartlett most of all was that an apparent score that it appeared to have early on was taken away from it.

With 24:13 remaining in the opening half, Tommy Russo sent a pass to Brian Roman, who connected from close range.

Following a discussion by the officials, the goal was disallowed due to a very questionable offsides call.

With the momentum from that score suddenly gone, Bartlett received a further blow with 15:26 left before the break.

That's when the Hawks were called for a push in the box, allowing the Falcons to score a goal on a penalty kick by Mike Lenzi.

The one-two punch seemed to take the wind out of Bartlett's sails and it had a hard time getting things going against the Falcons.

With both squads relying on solid defenses, collecting the first goal in a low-scoring match figured to be decisive, and it was.

Hear Bartlett coach Ben Beary's interview

Wheaton North added an insurance score with 27:02 left in the match following a Lenzi's goal on a header from close range.

Bartlett picked up its play after that, receiving threatening shots from Anthony DiNuzzo, Eric Kennebeck and Charlie Sordini.

With just under 17 minutes remaining, Sordini sent a liner toward the net but it was headed away by defender Zak Gudanik.

Sordini was able to collect a goal with 12:26 remaining, however, after connecting on a nice attempt from close range.

But the Falcons limited the Hawks' chances after that and keeper Nick Barry stopped late shots from Alex Ortiz and David Wade.

The two goals that the Hawks allowed marked only the sixth time all season that they had allowed two or more goals in a match.

Bartlett loses only three starters from its regional finals match due to graduation, Joe McCullough, Brett Palmer and Roman.

Returning starters from the match include Carmelo Abate, Fabio Aiello, Brett Dini, Jef Gal, Kennebeck, Ortiz, Russo and Wade.

Keeper Gal and defenders Aiello, Dini and wade should assure that the Hawks will continue to stay strong in the back.

In addition, the Hawks have several other players who saw significant playing time on both Saturday as well as recently.

The Hawks claimed victories over teams that are still playing, such aS St. Charles North and Wheaton Warrenville South.

Now Beary hopes that his returning players don't forget how their fine 2009 campaign came to an earlier than hoped for end.

Hawks starters vs. Falcons

Hawks Schedule

Postseason play