In Bethlehem Catholic’s boys’ soccer season opener, the Hawks lost to Easton, 2-1, in the last two minutes of overtime. Days later, Becahi tied Liberty, 1-1, and on Saturday, lost to Freedom in the last eight minutes of regulation, 1-0.

But the Hawks are happy because something’s different this year.

“I think this year, we come out knowing we have a chance to win every single game and we play our hearts out. Everyone gives it their all. We have a very strong defense, we can move the ball pretty well in the midfield, and we can get it up to our strikers,” said Becahi junior Peter Martinez.

First year head coach John Hohn couldn’t be happier with his Hawks either.

“My guys, they pressed really hard today and they wanted the win really bad, so all the stuff we’ve worked on, I could see it on the field,” said Hohn on Saturday. “When’s the last time they went 1-0 against Freedom? At halftime it was 0-0. When was the last time we did that? We’re obviously playing well. It could have gone either way. They let that one guy through and that’s all it took.”

Sebastian Garces scored the goal for the Patriots.

“It felt great. I mean, we had a rough game, on the surface and individually. I think we were playing way too slow and the surface wasn’t helping,” Garces said. “They were definitely putting pressure on us throughout the whole game. The last 10 minutes, we took control, but the other 70, they were pushing us. We didn’t play our best, but we came out with the win and we’ll see them again on our turf.”

That rematch is scheduled for this Wednesday at 4 p.m. on Freedom’s home field, which is turf, unlike the Hawks’ home field.

“I think we can move the ball pretty well on turf too, and I think a lot of people underestimate the way we play on turf,” said Martinez. “They were very tough, one of the best midfields we’ve played. It was really important that we stayed close to our lines and we held them. We kept our heads throughout the whole game. I know their style of play and what they do. That was helpful, going in. This was a fun one.”

Another thing that shouldn’t be underestimated is the Hawks’ defense.

“They’re a solid group, a group of guys who all work together, and they know what they’re doing. As a defender myself, I’ve never seen a group of boys play this solid,” said Coach Hohn. “[Freedom] couldn’t possess the ball as much as I think they’re used to. This field’s hard to play on, and it’s hard to make good, clean passes. We practice here, so we’re kind of used to waiting for that bad bounce. We’ve been super close, but at the end of the day, I can’t complain. They’re an amazing group of boys.”