Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The Heartland soccer teams began play last week with a mirage of clutch goals, as the Hawks reeled in two game-winning goals between the men's and women's teams. The men's team split its two contests in week one, while the women sit at 1-0-1.
 
Play began Wednesday at Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Ill. with the men's team competing first. The men's squad struggled to gain any momentum offensively, as the Hawks would ultimately fall 2-0 to the Statesmen.
 
The women's squad fared better on Wednesday, as the Hawks battled with Lincoln Trail until the very end. Heartland trailed early 1-0 after Lincoln Trail connected on a goal before Sherlyn Avalos kicked-off the scoring with a goal to tie things at 1-1. The game would ultimately reach double overtime, with Zara Dominguez sinking the game-winner to walk things off for the Hawks.
 
Friday's home opener at Normal Community West High School saw similar results, as both games would reach double overtime against the visiting South Suburban Bulldogs. After falling behind 1-0, Dominguez would connect with Mar Requena in the 12^th minute to knot things up at 1-1. After the Bulldogs pulled in front yet again at 2-1, Lina Lopez found the net in the 39^th minute to again tie the game at 2-2. Despite multiple opportunities to pull away in extra time, the game would conclude at a 2-2 tie after two overtimes. The Hawks finished with 28 total shots, 17 of which were on goal. Goalie Sofia Mosquera Chaverra contributed 6 saves for Heartland.
 
The men's contest played out similarly. This time, however, the Hawks would jump out in front first as Jino Agbassa scored the opening goal of the season for Heartland in the 16^th minute. The Bulldogs would knot things up at 1-1 before Raul Sanchez tossed in a header to put the home team back in the lead at 2-1. Following a goal to tie the game at 2-2 by the Bulldogs, both teams scored once more in regulation with Raul Oliu contributing a goal in the 77^th minute off of a penalty shot. After both squads failed to capitalize in the first overtime period, Agbassa sunk the game-winning shot in the 77^th minute as the Hawks improved to 1-1 on the young season. The Hawks ended the contest with 28 total shots, 12 of which were on goal. Goalie Gonzalo Castells finished with 4 saves.
 
The Hawks will return to action at 3 and 5 pm Tuesday at Illinois Central College.