By MATT METCALF

Sports Editor Playing La Salle is typically a good measuring stick for other boys’ soccer teams around the state, as the Rams have staked their claim to three state crowns in the last five years.

So when Hendricken welcomed La Salle to Hayden Stadium on Wednesday evening, the Hawks were out to prove that they’re serious state title contenders this season.

And they certainly left no doubt, battling back from a late 1-0 deficit to earn a draw, 1-1, on a goal from Lucas Gesmundo off a corner kick in the 77th minute.

Hendricken coach Michael Rooney felt the result was fair, as neither team deserved to lose.

“I think everyone was happy with the result and everyone saw a great game,” Rooney said. “No complaints anywhere.”

The first half went by with few chances.

Hendricken’s best opportunity came in the 11th minute, when Gesmundo dribbled to the left corner and crossed the ball into the box. He found a wide-open Michael Fleming at the back post, but his shot sailed high of the cage.

The Rams produced a prime opportunity to net the game’s first goal in the 19th minute, but that too missed the mark, with Jack Rotsart sending a bid wide left after a nice feed on an indirect free.

Both teams settled in and the play started to flow better after the half, leading to more frequent chances.

In the 43rd minute, it looked like Hendricken would take the lead, but a leaping save on a Chukwuma Onyejose break by Rams’ senior keeper Ryan Hanlon kept the game scoreless.

Hawks’ keeper Ryan Morel got some help from the crossbar four minutes later, when La Salle sophomore striker Julian Aristizabal drilled an open shot off the bar.

La Salle would convert eight minutes later, however.

Matthew Kane stepped into a loose ball near the top of the box and ripped it to the lower left corner in the 55th minute, eluding the outstretched arms of Morel to give the Rams a 1-0 lead.

Chukwudi Onyejose had a chance to answer less than a minute later, but his bid rolled just wide.

The Hawks would press for the equalizer late and find it, though.

They earned a corner kick in the 77th minute, and the cross into the middle found an open Gesmundo at the back post, who calmly buried the ball into the net to tie the game at 1.

With Hendricken getting good looks in the second half, Rooney felt that it was only a matter of time before his squad popped one in.

“[La Salle] had some good opportunities for the first half of the second half, and then we put some pressure on them and had some good chances late in the second half,” Rooney said.

The tie was much-needed for the Hawks after losing their first game to North Kingstown on Monday.

“We needed this game to get back on track,” Rooney said.

Hendricken continued its winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Classical on Friday to improve to 6-1-3 on the season.

The Hawks were set to host South Kingstown on Monday, but results from that game were unavailable at press time. They will also travel to East Providence to take on the Townies at 4 p.m. today.