Nov. 20, 2011
MILLSBORO, Del. - Despite a strong performance on day two of the 2011 Hawk Classic, UMES could not carry the momentum through to the final day, posting a 1-2 record in bracket play to finish fourth overall in the 19-team tournament.
After soaring to third place at the end of day two, UMES had to open day three of their own tournament against fourth seeded and No. 18 Valparaiso. The Hawks meant the challenge, topping the Crusaders 4-1 and setting up a date with current No.2 Vanderbilt. The Commodores qualified first but second seeded and No. 3 Fairleigh Dickinson handed them an opening loss four games to none.
In the second match Vandy topped UMES 4-2 sending the Hawks to a return match with Valpo, who topped Central Missouri in their second match. This time the upstart Crusaders bested the Hawks, 4-3 and claimed third place, sending UMES to a fourth place finish.
Vanderbilt topped FDU in the finals 4.5-1.5 to claim their fifth Hawk Classic title. FDU and UMES are the only other teams to win the event.
Despite the disappointing final day head coach Sharon Brummell saw some growth in her young Hawks, something good to have early in the season. "We matured some this weekend. We struggled on day one, came back on fire on day two and fought hard today. I always want to win, but our team learned something about themselves this weekend," she said. "Sometimes that is more valuable this time of year than a tournament title."
Anggie Ramirez (Bogota, Colombia) was named the event's Most Valuable Player for her strong showing on day two. It is her second straight Hawk Classic MVP nod. T'nia Falbo (Greensburg, Pa.) finished fourth individually and also made the All-Tournament Team. Kayla Jones of Kutztown, Joely Carrillo of FDU and Brittni Hamilton of Vanderbilt also claimed tournament honors.
The University of Central Missouri defeated Sacred Heart in a battle of fifth and sixth place while Sam Houston State, Delaware State, New Jersey City and Norfolk State rounded out the top ten.
UMES went 9-4 in the Classic and improve to 27-9 overall. They are now off until December 3 and 4 when they face off with the MEAC Northern Division for the second time this season. The meet, held in Baltimore, Md., is the last event for UMES in calendar year 2011.
