English goalkeeper Tony Wakeford makes a spectacular save for Feather River College. Photo by Toni Williams

9/29/2010 - In professional soccer, they say to play for a tie on the road and a win at home.

Well, FRC soccer deserved a win at Las Positas Wednesday, Sept. 22, but had to settle for one point and a 1-1 draw against the Hawks.

The men were coming off of a heartbreaking 3-0 loss at Napa, where they outshot Napa 25-5, but could not find that elusive goal they needed.

At Las Positas last Wednesday, FRC drew first blood when sophomore Juan Garcia took a free kick from 25 yards out just one minute from halftime and bent it around the wall into the upper right corner of the Hawks’ goal to put FRC up 1-0.

The Golden Eagles dominated the first half of the contest by outshooting Las Positas 14-3, but as they have been prone to do lately, they could not find the back of the net more often, and as a result were only up by the one goal at the half.

The second half saw the wind speed pickup and push into the face of the FRC men, making it increasingly difficult to get the ball down the field with the accuracy and pace that they are used to playing.

Las Positas took advantage of the wind at their backs by playing long balls down the field, hoping to connect and break through the Golden Eagles defense.

Finally in the 56th minute, the Hawks struck with a long ball and a breakaway on goal. Freshman keeper and English foreign exchange student Tony Wakeford came out of his goal to challenge, but the Hawks striker put the ball past him and into the net for a 1-1 draw.

The score line would finish that way, but first-year Coach Don Williams was extremely proud of his men. “I truly believe that we are passing the ball on the ground better than any community college team in the state, and maybe better than most NCAA teams in the state right now,” said Williams. “The goals will come soon in droves.”

FRC’s next home game is Monday, Oct. 11, when the men will host Lassen College at 2 p.m.