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