Despite a losing record of 7-9 in its inaugural 1996 campaign in the USL Second Division, the Hammerheads reached the semifinals of the playoffs. After missing the playoffs the following year, the club returned to the postseason in 1998 and has not missed in the past eight years.

The club’s playoff success gradually grew to a championship game appearance in 2002 after a 14-4-2 campaign. After coming up short in their first attempt, the team returned to the final the following year to claim the 2003 USL Second Division title in double overtime.