MEN'S SOCCER ON TOP ONCE AGAIN
Chowan started off the 2023 season struggling to find the back of the net and the win column going 0-3-1 in their first four matches. On September 16, things started to click for the Hawks trouncing Erskine, 8-2, on their way to the first win of the season. That win sparked a nine-match unbeaten streak (6-0-3) to send the Hawks soaring to the top of the league table.
On October 25, with two matches to go in the regular season, the Hawks were handed a 2-0 setback at the hands of their rival Mount Olive. Not only did the Hawks see their unbeaten streak snapped, but they also saw their chance for a divisional title slip away, as well as a long standing home unbeaten streak snapped that spanned over four years.
The group stayed resilient and picked up a 2-1 victory over Francis Marion to conclude the regular season and secure the second seed in the Conference Carolinas Men's Soccer Championship.
The Hawks would get a bye until the semifinals, where Chowan would draw another rival, Barton. Barton would take the opening goal of the match into the halftime break. Hlynur Fridriksson put the Hawks on the board in the 62' before the Bulldogs found the go-ahead goal in the 71'. Chowan would not panic as the Greensboro, N.C. native, Tylar Elliott, playing in front of the home fans at Macphearson Stadium at Bryan Park in Greensboro found the bottom left corner in the 87'. From that point, Chowan dominated the attack before Junior Smith found the game-winner in the 108' to send the Hawks into the finals.
In the finals, Chowan grabbed the momentum quickly as Leke Ademola scored the opening goal in the 10' against the defending champions, Converse. The Valkyries continued to push forward in the second half finding the match-tying goal in the 62'. Despite several chances late in the contest by both sides, the match would end in a draw and head to a penalty shootout.
Alex Espinoza, Junior Smith, and Harri Lovett would convert their kicks from the mark, while Chase Jansen would deny Converse on all three attempts to allow Chowan to hoist the trophy for the second time in program history.
Chowan earned the 10th seed in the NCAA Men's Soccer Super Region II bracket and traveled to Melbourne, Fla. to take on Lynn in the first round. Not only did the Hawks have to navigate through the Fighting Knights of Lynn, but had to endure a tropical storm during the contest. The Hawks converted on their only shot in the first half to head into the intermission knotted up at one. Lynn found a goal early in the second half, but the Hawks would not give up and found the strength to connect in the 85' as Junior Smith, played his junior college years at nearby Eastern Florida State and did not disappoint posting a pair of goals in the contest.
The match would head to overtime and ultimately in a penalty shootout. Chowan would match Lynn shot-for-shot until the Fighting Knights denied the Hawks on the 10th attempt to fall 9-8.
Chowan collected four All-Conference selections with Harri Lovett, Bradley Binns, and Chase Jansen earning First Team selections. Charlie Birch was named Third Team. Lovett continued to add to his collection of awards with D2CCA and USCA All-Region honors.
