The Red Hawks started the week out strong on September 21, as they battled against Kenowa Hills. The Knights managed to kick in their lone goal quickly, but the rest of the game belonged to the Red Hawks as they pelted in a total of six shots for the night, giving Cedar the victory 6-1.

Cedar was on their game as their forwards dominated control of the ball, defense challenged any intruders in their territory and goalie Kyle Coutchie kept the net empty. Senior Cody Cook finished the first goal, heading the ball into the net. (Assist: Zach Hawkins). Forward Robert Klein added a second goal (Assist: Cody Cook). The Red Hawks scored again due to offensive pressure on the ball in front of the Knight’s net, causing the ball to be deflected off a Kenowa Hills player into their net. In the final minute of the first half, Zach Hawkins kicked a lofting ball over the goalie into the net. Goal five was credited to defender Ron Fisk as he ran up from the backfield and arched the ball over the fingertips of the goalie, dropping the ball in the net. With 38 seconds left on the clock, Cedar Cody Cook fought through the defense and blasted in the final goal.

On September 22, Cedar visited West Catholic to play the Falcons. The physical game challenged the offense, defense, and keeper skills as the Falcons continuously pressured the team at all angles. Cody Cook scored the only Red Hawk goal as the team worked their way through the defense, allowing a shot to be directed into the corner of the net. (Assist: Robert Klein). Even though Cedar’s goalkeeper, Kyle Coutchie, was credited with multiple saves for the game, by the end of the event, Cedar came up short by a score of 5-1.

The third game of the week (September 24) was a hard fought, aggressive match up between OK-Blue conference rivals Cedar Springs and Sparta. Cedar lit up the scoreboard with the first goal as freshman Kyle Szirovecz shot the ball into the corner of the net. With 2:22 left in the first half, Sparta headed in a corner kick, leaving the score 1-1. Six minutes into the second half, Cedar picked up the scoring, as Kyle Szirovecz scored on a penalty kick in the box. Shortly after, Kyle Szirovecz was once again tackled in the box. This allowed Cedar a third goal, as freshman Robert Klein booted in the penalty kick in the box. Sparta quickly added two more goals. Both scores were a result of penalty kicks being direct into a congested Cedar goal area allowing the ball to be knocked into the net. Sparta scored the winning goal on a penalty kick due to a handball in the box. Cedar fans left the field proud of the Red Hawk players for the determination and sportsmanship their team exhibited on and off the field.

“We are a different team than when we started the season,” said Coach Kyle Avink. “The guys have improved a lot and we look forward to some more exciting games!” Go Red Hawks!