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