October 26, 2009

Dear Alumni & Friends,

It was a good weekend in Amherst in spite of the rain and field conditions. It was better then last Sunday versus Temple and fortunately the result was the same. We went into the weekends match with our A-10 travel partner expecting another typical URI vs UMass battle and it ended up being just that in the end.

As expected UMass is a very good team and we both were looking for a positive result as we jockeyed for a place in the Atlantic 10 standings and the subsequent conference tournament down the road here in Kingston. So, this was an important game for everyone. The match started off with a flurry and it didn't take long for your Rams to get on the board. After a UMass foul on the side of the box, Erkko Puranen (Viitisaari, Finland) served a ball to the back post which looked like it might curl out of bounds. But, Andres Ruiz (Providence, RI) got on the end of it, heading back across the goal where Thomas Lindroos (Espoo, Finland) redirected in the goal for a 1-0 lead). It was just what we needed and rewarded the guy's for a good start to the game. It was 12 minutes in and we knew that we had a long time to go for it to be over.

In the second half the game went back and forth, mostly played between the 18 yard boxes but none the less both teams threatened. Michael Tanke (Niles, MI) nearly got the insurance goal when he curled a ball which rang the cross bar. UMass put on some added pressure by sticking an additional player up front and earning some dangerous corners but the team stood solid to grind out the win and well deserve shutout against a quality opponent.

If you have seen the A-10 standings as of now, you will notice that this weekend once again becomes a big one for all those involved. So, after a day off yesterday we'll be right back at it to get ready for St. Bonnies and Duquesne this weekend. Both games are doubleheaders with the women's team as they finish off their A-10 schedule. On Friday the women are at 5:00 pm and we play at 7:30 pm and on Sunday the women are at 11:00 am and we kick off at 1:30 pm. Sunday is "Senior Day" so it will add a little more importance to the team then just a "regular" Atlantic 10 match. If you are in the area we hope you can be here for the pre-game ceremony to honor our fourth year team members who will be playing their last regular season match at the URI Soccer Complex.

Before I sign off I just wanted to congratulate Mike Stricklin '77 who was recently voted into the New England Soccer Hall of Fame (http://neshof.org/blog/). He will be inducted on Sunday November 1st at 1:00 pm at the Riviera Inn, Providence, RI along with six others including former US Soccer President Hank Steinbrecher, former US National Team Player Janusz Michalik and Boston College Head men's soccer coach Ed Kelly. He is in good company and I know you will all join me a hearty "well done" for Mike...you will represent URI soccer well!

GO RAMS!
Coach O'C

October 13, 2009

Dear Alums & Friends,

It was a tough, tough weekend on all accounts and I would be lying if I didn't say we were disappointed. It was the beginning of the "second season" and we were confident after our performance up at Binghamton University we were prepared for our Atlantic 10 foes.

Friday's match at Dayton was a rematch of the A-10 Conference Quarterfinal from a year ago. A 3-2 loss in Pittsburgh had left the guy's with a sour taste in their mouths and so they were looking forward to facing the Flyers again. The field conditions were not great as rain had soaked it and a women's game prior to ours went to over-time making our kick-off nearly 9:00 pm. UD came into the game as winners of their last 5 so they exuded confidence which showed at kickoff. Again, our concentration and lack of communication in the first part of the game was a problem allowing Dayton on the board in the first 4 minutes. We had shot ourselves in the foot so to speak but responded well and started to put some things together. In the 32nd minute we were pushed a little deeper in a hole when a dubious at best penalty was called against goalkeeper Chris Pennock (Spennymoor, England) which could have only been called on a wet night with bad footing. We were down 2-0 going into the half but was a position before and new we had the where with all to fight back from.

We started the second half well and began to face a barrage of long balls served up by the Dayton defenders. On the counter it paid off as they found their third goal with the fourth sealing it in the final 5 minutes. The result was poor but the players kept battling to the very end. We scurried back to the hotel like rain soaked rats looking to forget the night and move ahead to Cincinnati.

On Sunday we made some changes and it seemed as though our shuffling paid off. After a hard fought first 45 minutes we came out flying and got what we had come for, a goal, the first of his career, from Matt Preyss (Chagrin Falls, OH) and a laser of a striker just 3 minutes into the second stanza. It didn't take long for us to get the second as just 10 minutes later after a Dom Petrarca (Johnston, RI) curling cross nicked off a Xavier defender and to the feet of senior mid-fielder Gary Crooks (Falkirk, Scotland) who calmly slotted it under the Muskateer goalkeeper for a 2-0 lead.

They say that 2-0 is the worst lead to have as one goal let's the other team feel they had a chance and it unfortunately proved true on this day. XU got a fortuitous deflecting off their "flip" throw-in and BANG it was 2-1. The squad seemed to sit back a little too much and began to absorb a aerial assault that was not uncommon for a team looking for the equalizer. In the 88th minute lightning struck and after our defense mis-cleared a ball after being "under nudged" by a XU forward, and the subsequent bouncing ball was rocketed into the net to tie it up. Overtime brought more sadness as again, Xavier was able to capitalize and get the winner and we walked away from the weekend with no points.

I would like to thank all our families and loyal fans who sat in the rain at Dayton as well as travelled down to Cincinnati for the games. The Pryess clan, Hadley & Angie Warwick, John & Valerie Tanke as well as the Gargaro and Ribbens families were a welcome site to a dreary weekend on the field. Following the game I got a chance to catch up with Mark Sauter '07 who came to the match with his dad. Mark is finishing his last year of law school at the University of Cincinnati and is in the process of his job search which he says will be tough with the economy. Any help with leads for Mark is welcome. It was a nice surprise to see him as well as one of my University of Chicago goalkeepers Micah Prochaska and his wife who I literally ran into while eating in Dayton. He is attending medical school at Dayton and was an honorary Ram for a night.

It was a long ride home Sunday (arriving in Providence at 11:45 pm) and yesterday we all took some much needed time to clear the heads and start thinking about the huge weekend that lies ahead. A chance a redemption as two more A-10 foes roll into town for our HOMECOMING. Friday it is the St. Joe's Hawks on a 7:00 pm for a COX televised game on Chariho Youth Soccer Night. Sunday Temple is in Kingston after playing our travel partner UMass so it looks to be another exciting weekend and one where we hope to get back even in the league.

Speaking of HOMECOMING, don't forget that on Saturday October 17th at 10:00 am we will be having an ALUMNI vs. ALUMNI game on the practice field. Registration will begin at 9:00 am and includes coffee, donuts and a FREE t-shirt courtesy of the Office of Alumni Relations. IF YOU PLAN ON COMING AND MORE SO PLAYING PLEASE RSVP TO ME ASAP. Following the game their will be a reception at the URI Athletic tent in Rhodyville with lunch available at a nominal cost. The homecoming football game follows at 12 Noon so come on with your Rhody Blue and join us for a fantastic weekend. For more information and a schedule on the upcoming Homecoming festivities you can contact us or go to the website at http://advance.uri.edu/alumni/events/homecoming/default.htmgo.

Hope to see you all there as the players NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

GO RAMS!
Coach O'C

October 4, 2009

Dear Alumni & Friends,

Well, the non-traditional half of the season is complete and we look forward to our A-10 conference games to begin next weekend. It has been quite a run in the first half here and it culminated with an exciting match up at Binghamton University last night.

It was as good an atmosphere to compete in, as the players will see over their careers. Not only did we play in front of a record crowd of over 2,600 fans, at a first class facility on homecoming weekend - the game was broadcast on Time Warner Cable Sports. Binghamton was also sporting three-year streak where they they had not lost at home. With a loud and boisterous group of supporters called the “Bearcat Hooligans” cheering and jeering from the stands - you bet it was something to be seen!

The game began as we thought it would, full of energy and enthusiasm. One of the themes we had talked about in pre-game was maintaining our concentration and poise through the first 20 minutes of the game. Over the first half of the season this has been a concern as we have conceded the majority of our goals during this time. I was very proud of the guys as they battled through it as Binghamton’s direct style of play which had us on our heals at times.

The back four of Dom Petrarca (Johnston, RI), Dwayne Williams (Westmoreland, Jamaica), Robby Gargaro (Naperville, IL) and Matt Preyss (Chagrin Falls, OH) absorbed a lot of pressure and goalkeeper Chris Pennock (Spennymoor, England) kept things organized while keeping Binghamton off the board.

After half-time we came out well - as we have all season - with the striking pair of Erkko Puranen (Viitasaari, Finland) and Jamie Eckmayer (Harrington Park, NJ) threatening several times and thus keeping the Binghamton defense busy. We were rewarded for our perseverance when senior midfielder Kevin Shaw (Denny, Scotland) picked up a miss cleared ball at the top of the box and fired a worm burner that skidded along the field turf hitting the back stanchion of the goal and caromed up into the net for the lead. The homecoming crowd was quieted.

The lead was enjoyed, but short-lived as 10 minutes later Binghamton was able to equalize off a free kick. The battle continued though the end of the half with both teams getting chances to win it - Binghamton hit the crossbar and Michael Tanke (Niles, MI) got a good look at the goal on a break, but put his shot past the right post.

In overtime, we looked strong and it appeared as though we would get the winner several times. The first was when Thomas Lindroos (Espoo, Finland) chased one ball on the end line, which a BU defender thought was going out, and fed Erkko Puranen who had his shot blocked. The second was a Greg Balicki (Wilbraham, MA) half-volley - reminiscent of his Yale game-winner - which almost made it through a forest of BU legs.

We almost had it in the final minute Jamie Eckmayer got behind the Binghamton defense on a pass from Robby Gargaro and lifted a bouncing ball over the goalkeeper that unfortunately deflected off the front of the crossbar and out. It would have been a storybook finish but it wasn’t to be...

Next weekend the second season begins with the opening Atlantic 10 games in Ohio versus Dayton and Xavier. I still believe that these early season games will serve us well in the Conference as they have prepared us for the always competitive A-10 games ahead. Our ultimate goal is to qualify for the A-10 Championship, get a first-round bye and advance into the NCAA tournament. It is a realistic goal and our road begins next week.

Before I sign off, I want to thank Brian Bradley for sending along some photos of his brother Michael, who recently shipped out to Afghanistan with the US Army as part of his commitment he made while in medical school. We hope you will keep him in your prayers for a safe six months.

Don’t forget HOMECOMING WEEKEND, October 16-18, and our Atlantic 10 doubleheader weekend/Alumni Game on Saturday the 17th at 10:00 am. Please let us know if you will be coming and especially if you will be playing in the game. Hope to see you all soon….

P.S. Take a look at this blog entry from Binghamton's Sports Communication Office: http://www.bubearcats.com/sports/msoc/2009dailyupdate1004.html

Very nice!..."You stay classy" Rhode Island!

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C