Greetings from URI Men's Soccer,
As I sit here writing this final report of the spring (on Sunday afternoon) I can feel that I am in need of a nap after a busy but fantastic weekend! It was an action-packed couple of days during which, miraculously, the weather cooperated for the alumni game on Saturday. We were worried when some heavy rain on Friday threatened to continue into Saturday. So, we were a little nervous on how it would affect the game and our final non-traditional fixture of the semester. The spring season turned out to be a very good one as we finished with a 2-0-2 record and didn't concede a goal. We defeated Southern Connecticut (2-0) and UMass (3-0) while tying Boston University and UMass-Lowell 0-0. We had also scheduled a game with UConn, but unfortunately, the Huskies cancelled - which was too bad because that would have been a good match-up too. All in all, I am very pleased in the performance from the small group that we had.
Anyway, Saturday came and the sun appeared just as our alums where arriving... and they did arrive in droves! All in all there were over 25 alums ranging from veterans Lenny Mercurio '81, Mike Stricklin '77 and Mike Rogers '79 to Chris Simon, Jesse Simmons '00 and Dan Brownridge '01 all the way up to our just graduating seniors and every era in between. The alums warmed up with an alumni vs. alumni small-sided half-field game.
The actual alumni game began with a flurry as both sides got up and down the field... some breathing harder than others. Fifteen minutes into the first 30 minute period, freshmen Mitch Trainor (Amenia, N.Y.) opened the scoring with his first goal in a URI uniform after gathering a rebounded off a Robbie Dircks (Rockaway, N.J.) shot which came off the post. The score was increased to 2-0 when sophomore forward Kedan Crosby (St. James, Trinidad) fed junior Steve Mellen (North Kingstown, R.I.) who hammered the ball in the top corner.
The alums regrouped after that and Lenny Mercurio '81, showing the skill that made him the third all-time leading scorer in Rhody history, nearly got a goal after he chipped at freshmen goalkeeper Anthony Tavares (East Providence, R.I.) from 35 yards out and just missed to the right of the goal.
The alums then got an oxygen break which allowed them to get some ice and bring on the subs - which brought some renewed energy to the squad (as well as a younger average age). Led by Kevin Kennedy '03, Jesse Simmons '00, Michael Bradley '97, Emerson Aguilera '05 and Perek Bellah '04, the alums were able to generate play and earned a corner kick. Unfortunately while jockeying for a position in the box, now-assistant coach Gareth Elliott '02 (who had been pumping up the alums' chances in the game during training that week) broke his nose on the back of junior midfielder Geoff Cameron's head. As URI Director of Soccer Operations Frank Bergren would point out later at the banquet, "G" came on the field and was off before he even touched the ball.
The alums' player/coach/spiritual leader was down and out and so seemed the alums' chances in the game. After that, the flood gates opened with Mitch Trainer assisting on a Geoff Cameron (Attleboro, MA) goal which was then followed by tallies from Danleigh Borman (from Crosby) and two by Lukasz Tumicz (Biszytnek, Poland). One was unassisted on a free kick (around a misaligned wall which could have been caused by an optical illusion from the prescription sports goggles goalkeeper Steve Pickman was wearing) and a second on a breakaway, making the final 6-0. The score was certainly not reflective of the alumni's effort. They well and just came up short... kind of. Following the game, the players, alumni, parents and friends moved to the Holiday Inn-South Kingstown for the 1st Annual Friends of Soccer Team Banquet. A pre-dinner reception provided a great atmosphere for everyone to mingle and catch up including Michael Hoffer '61 who was in attendance and played on the very first URI men's soccer squad! The buffet dinner was followed by the annual team awards ceremony.
The first presentation of the evening was the Bob Butler Sportsmanship Award, named for the first soccer coach at URI and given to the player on the team who "exhibits the spirit of athletic competition and fair play". Director of Soccer Operations Frank Bergren passed it on to junior transfer "Danger" Dan Lucas (East Providence, RI) who's energy, enthusiasm and undying support for the players, staff and program made him a very appropriate recipient.
The second presentation of the night was the URI Rams Academic Achievement Award, which was established this year to recognize the team member who best defines the term "student-athlete". Academic Advisor Nicole LaBranche-Poloski presented the award to senior goalkeeper Mark Sauter (Columbus, OH). A double major in History & Political Science, Mark was a Dean's List student in each of his semesters in Kingston and graduated in December. He also won the Margaret Thomas Phi Alpha prize for outstanding work in history in his junior year and was honored at the Rhode Island State House this past Monday, April 30th, as a scholar-athlete. Mark will enter law school next fall, at the University of Cincinnati.
The Len Mecurio Offensive Player of the Year was next on the docket and the winner was no surprise to anyone in the room. Named in honor of the legendary Ram forward (who did, by the way, play in the alumni game earlier in the day) was won by senior All-American Jefrey Gonsalves (Markham, Ontario). Unfortunately, Jeff was unable to attend the banquet as he was in the Czech Republic visiting teammates Dawid Badecki (Jelenia Gora, Poland) and Callum Bissett (Pencaitland, Scotland) who have been studying abroad in Prague this spring. As the reigning Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year, Jeff was the second-leading scorer in the country in 2006 with 18 goals and 5 assists for 41 points. Jeff scored in 13 of 23 games played, had four multiple-goal games, five game-winning goals and moved into fifth place on the all-time scoring list this past fall. Jeff was also later honored as the recipient of the Geza Henni Most Valuable Player Award, which I'm sure would have made the former skipper of the Rams very, very proud.
The final presentation of the afternoon was another newly-established award, honoring Alumni Service. The yet-to-be-named award will be given annually to the alumnus who "has shown dedication, passion and leadership in support of University of Rhode Island men's soccer program". In a surprise announcement, especially to its' winner, Assistant Coach Gareth Elliott's name was called. "G" has be an invaluable part of the program for nearly 10 years - as a player and now coach. He has made it possible for such a smooth transition between Coach Ed Bradley's departure and my hiring. Luckily, I was able to keep this presentation a secret - even though Gareth was the one who arranged for the inscribing of the awards for the banquet. I know the alums were unanimous in their support of his winning this inaugural award!
The evening was ended with a tribute and presentation of gifts to the senior class of Kevin Algozer (Northport, N.Y.), Jim Goetter (Marlborough, Conn.), Jeffrey Gonsalves, B.J. Kochis (Naugatuck, Conn.), Mark Sauter and Joe Spofford (Waterville, Maine), followed by a slide show. In spite of some "technical difficulties", it was a nice way to finish the academic year up. Special thanks to junior midfielder Steve Mellen for his computer expertise in getting things up and running!
All in all, it was great day and something which we are confident will grow and grow each year.
A reminder to all alumni, parents and friends that our next event will be the 12th Annual URI Men's Soccer Golf Outing, which will be held on Monday August 13th at Green Valley Country Club in Middletown, R.I. This fall, we will also be sponsoring an alumni vs. alumni game and BBQ on Homecoming Weekend (October 12-14). More information will follow on our website, www.GoRhody.com.
Hope to see you soon!