Well, I know I am late in getting this edition of "From This End of the Bench" to you all but it's taken me a while to recover from this past weekend's excitement. We may as well be called the "Cardiac Kids" for the time of our game-winning goals over the last four matches. I am sure I have even less hair now then I had before the weekend began. And I have to be honest here, that's not a name by which any coach really wants be known. But, I have to admit it is a lot of fun when you are on the positive side of things.
As anyone who has competed in the Atlantic 10 knows, no game is easy. At times, some become that way, but I never go into the game with the attitude we will win by just showing up. Both Fordham and LaSalle came to Kingston sporting good A-10 records, the former being second in the league with a 4-1-0 record. It took two great efforts and a little luck to come up with the 1-0 wins (and shutouts to boot - which are nice byproducts of the work put in during the match by everyone).
Lukasz Tumicz (Bisznytek, Poland) continued on his hot scoring pace with the winner on Friday off a Steve Mellen (N. Kingstown, RI) assist. Steve had a chance to score himself but set Lukasz up with a goal on a silver platter - which defines Steve to a "T" - he's a hard worker who does whatever is needed for the team to be successful - whether its for 9 minutes or 90.
On Sunday, it was a little different matter. Although we dominated in the statistical categories, we give La Salle a ton of credit for keeping things even and giving themselves chances to win with their counter attack. It was not until about 01:30:00 left on the game clock that Adam Howarth (Isle of Wight, England) slipped a ball under the Explorer keeper off a Danleigh Borman (Cape Town, South Africa) corner for his first collegiate goal... It's a wonder how a 6'4" central defender would score with a little redirect while going to ground, as opposed to that powerful melon of his. But, the self proclaimed "Henri" of a practice game we play called "Bread & Butter" will remember it for the rest of his life! It was a great way to celebrate "Senior Day" and it kept us on our quest to qualify for the A-10 tournament and gain a top seed.
This weekend was an important one for us and the boys knew it. They came through with flying colors, not only in terms of results, but with performances worthy of the class of players who were competing in their last regular season home games as a Ram. It was a very emotional day for everyone. As I said to Dr. John Sullivan on the sidelines, "This is one of my favorite days but also one of the most difficult."
It was wonderful to have the Algozers (mom & dad), Badeckis (mom & dad), Bissetts (mom, dad, grandma, sister, brother and sister's boyfriend), Camerons (mom, dad & grandpa), Howarths (mom & step-dad) and Mellens (mom & dad) here with us. I also thank Nancy Kelly, Frank Bergren, Jeffrey Gonsalves and Gareth Elliott as well as Sheila, Megan and Michael O'Connor for acting as surrogate families for those who could not be with us on this special occasion.
Whether it was at Dartmouth, Chicago or here at URI, it is always difficult for me to realize how quickly time passes. As I watched these men - Adam, Badecki, Callum, Danleigh, Geoffrey, Gozer, Lukasz, Mellen, Scalzo - walk to the middle of the field to be recognized with their families and friends, I couldn't help but count my blessings to have such a great group to start my career with at URI. They are the reason this program has been so successful over the past four years. To be accepted into such a tight-knit group with such enthusiasm, and to be trusted in leading them, is something I will never forget. My hat goes off to them!
Now it is off to the "City of Brotherly Love" for our last two regular season matches at Temple (Friday at 2:00 pm) and St. Joseph's (Sunday at 1:00 pm). Each one is important in reaching our goal of a 1 or 2 seed in the A-10 Tournament.
Keep an eye on us via "Gametracker" and keep the positive vibes going!
GO RAMS!
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