The FHE soccer team ran into a buzzsaw in the form of East Kentwood on Tuesday night in a 4-0 loss. 

Perenially one of the top teams in the state's Division 1, having won 2 of the last 3 State Championships, the Falcons of East Kentwood were looking to avenge their loss to the Hawks in last year's match.

FHE found itself under intense pressure in its defensive third of the field as wave after wave of East Kentwood attack came at them.  Dino Duratovic opened the scoring in the 18th minute, finishing a 1v1 versus goalkeeper Kip Forness after a through ball up through the center of the Hawks defense.

The defense stood firm for the rest of the half, though the Hawks struggled to put together any scoring chances of their own.

The pressure continued in the second half, but the Hawks kept their opponents scoreless until Mr. Soccer candidate Dzenan Catic scored on a rebound in the 63rd minute.  Catic followed that with goals in the 66th and 72 minutes to secure his hat-trick.

The Hawks were outshot 26-2 for the game (14 - 0 in shots on goal).  Goalkeepers Kip Forness and Nick Hopkins played strong games for FHE, tallying 8 saves and 2 saves respectively.

FHE must rebound for its next game at home on Thursday night at 6:45pm versus East Grand Rapids, a good rivalry game, a series in which the Hawks have played the Pioneers to a 1-1-2 record.  East Kentwood evened its history with the Hawks at 1-1-1.