November 9, 2010

Dear Alums & Friends,

The season has ended and not as we had hoped or planned back in August when we rolled into preseason camp. On the flight back from Charlotte Sunday night the guy’s were busy getting their homework done or listening to their music. Looking around it is amazing to me how resilient they are and have been considering the day, the weekend and season. It’s the great thing about youth and the innocence it brings. It’s not that they don’t care or weren’t affected by the disappointment, but that they can move on so quickly because for most aside from our seniors they still have another season to look forward to and prove that this fall was an anomaly.

Friday we were in St. Louis for the first of the final two Atlantic 10 and regular season games. Game time was a little brisk but the trip was a good one so far bar the 6:00 am departure from campus on Thursday morning. The match itself was an important one for the host as they needed points to make the A10 Tournament but for us it was playing for pride and playing the role of spoiler. It looked as though we would fulfill our goal in the opening stanza when Thomas Lindroos (Espoo, Finland) hit a cracker of a shot the Billikin goalkeeper rebounded out to Reece Markman (Dallas, TX) who finished it cleanly but…the off sides flag was up. Lady luck had foiled us again.

Half-time was deadlocked and coming out of the dressing room we got the better of the chances for both teams. A subsequent SLU corner turned into the best of all as a challenged header was knocked down, side footed and saved initially by Peyton Warwick (Prairie Village, KS) but as the ball spun on the goal line a mere touch to recover it sent it into the goal. We chased the game with great resolve forcing the SLU goalkeeper into a game high 6 saves (to Peyton’s 1) including a blast by Greg Balicki (Wlibraham, MA) whose rebound was swept out for a corner and a slicing run and rip by Jon Pereira (Barrington, RI). In the last 2 minutes Thomas Lindroos got to the six yard box on the angle and shot over and in the final ticks Reece Marksman's volley off a corner sizzled over. It was the best performance against SLU in the regular season since my time at URI.

The second leg of the trip to Charlotte was again marked by an early flight and training. We were set to finish against the already crowned 2010 Atlantic 10 regular season champions and #1 seed in the A10 tournament. If you missed the first 10 minutes of the game you would have missed a lot of excitement. UNCC got on the board a little over 5 minutes in on a great shot from distance but even better, our boy’s responded less than 30 seconds later. Off the kick off Reece Markman got a great pass through from Jon Pereira that he drove first time across the 49er goal for Greg Balicki to finish with a thundering first touch for 1-1 score line. But the fireworks weren’t finished as the home team took the lead again on what looked to be an offside goal before you could say forty-niner. We were 10 minutes in with a 2-1 score line that extended to 3-1 later on a hotly contested penalty. The second half hoped to be better but only got worse as the hosts tacked on 2 more for a comfortable lead. A late free kick by Joey Haught (Brecksville, OH) found the head of Dwayne Williams (Westmoreland, Jamaica) who headed it down where Eric Hutson (St. Louis, MO) pounced on it to bring us one back. In the final seconds a blast by Matt Preyss (Chagrin Falls, OH) looked like another little to late tally but a deflection took it off the face of the goal. I could only smile as it seemed to be a final symbolic example a season full of deflections and pieces of bad luck.

It was the last game for our senior class that is always a tough one for them and me. They had come in bright eyed 18 year olds but when I watched them walk off the field at UNCC they were very different people. A long season like ours can do that to you but also four seasons of memories transforms you too. Campaigns like this don’t come along very much and although I’ve seen a few, they have always been followed by one filled with results that represent the true nature of the program. The 2011 season can’t get here too soon but before then a long off-season of reflection, re-tooling and re-dedication to the principles of Rhody Soccer are due. That I promise you.

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

November 1, 2010

Dear Friends & Alumni,

What a way to end the weekend with a tremendously gritty 1-0 win over Fordham on Senior Day as well as a wonderful post game tailgate with our friends and families. Thanks so much to Judy Balicki, Nancy Eckmayer, Valerie Tanke and Nancie Preyss among others who put it all together. It was a great way to top of the final home game of the season.

It was a weekend of mixed results with a disappointing 4-2 loss to La Salle on Friday night, but as noted above, an important win over a good Fordham team on Sunday. We got a nice surprise from former Rhody midfielder and now Houston Dynamo defender/midfielder Geoff Cameron ‘08 who was home in New England and came down for the game. Geoff spoke to the team at the pre-game meeting about sacrifice, staying together and working for each other as the backbone to success. He also graciously participated in the pre-game coin flip as well as signed autographs at halftime. It was great to have him back! THANKS CAM!



Back to the first fixture where, like many of our matches this season, we started off very well and this time were rewarded with a 1-0 lead just 10 minutes into the game on a Thomas Lindroos (Espoo, Finland) goal off a Reece Markman (Dallas, TX) assist. But La Salle was able to get back into the game with a trio goals less than 10 minutes apart to lead 3-0 at halftime.

In the second stanza, we came back to cut the lead to one when a Jon Pereira (Barrington, RI) corner was dummied at the near post by Reece Markman and central defender Eric Hutson (St. Louis, MO) slid in to knock it past the La Salle goalie for his first collegiate goal. Momentum had shifted but as we pushed forward looking for the equalizer we got caught on the counter and the Explorers got their two-goal lead back which stood until the final whistle.

As it is in the A-10, you can’t dwell on results as the second half of the weekend was still in front of us with Fordham coming to town after defeating UMass 1-0. It would also be Senior Day, which is a special for the guys who have been part of the program for four years. Playing your last game on the URI Soccer Complex can be an emotional one and this was not different. In a nice pre-game ceremony, our six seniors Greg Balicki (Wilbraham, MA), Jon Pereira (Barrington, RI), Matt Preyss (Chagrin Falls, OH), Michael Tanke (Niles, MI), Anthony Tavares (East Providence, RI) and Dwayne Williams (Westmoreland, Jamaica) were honored, along with their families, for their contributions to Rhody men’s soccer. So, the game was set-up to be a special one and an impassioned speech on what it means to be part of the URI soccer family by Callum Bissett ‘08 in our pre-game meeting infused even more energy into the squad.

It was a beautiful sunny day and Cox Sports was taping the game for re-broadcast locally (Tuesday 11/2 @7:00 pm and Wednesday 11/3 @8:00 pm). The wind was whipping and it would prove to be a factor in the game. We again started well as there was energy and electricity in the air. With the wind at our backs and our focus forward, the boys moved the ball as well as they have all season. About 16 minutes in, Jamie Eckmayer (Harrington Park, NJ) collected a ball wide and slipped to Joey Haught (Brecksville, OH) in the middle of the park. Joey slashed and danced through the Fordham central defense before rolling a ball out to an oncoming Matt Ribbens (Tinley Park, IL) who lashed a shot from about 25 yards out into the corner past a diving keeper for his first collegiate goal. It was wonderful build up and finish.



Not much later Michael Tanke almost doubled the lead when he dribbled through on a breakaway but missed wide.

We switched ends in the second half and, as I eluded to earlier, the wind was a factor. Fordham changed their tactics, consistently tried to play behind us but the back line of Jon Cloutier (Honolulu, HI), Matt Pryess, Robby Gargaro (Naperville, IL) and Dwayne Williams - along with the rest of the squad - held tough. When Fordham threatened with a couple of dangerous shots and corners, senior goalkeeper Anthony Tavares came up big, particularly when he picked out a cross in traffic in the latter stages of the game. The final whistle blew and Tony was mobbed. It is great when Senior Day ends as it did.



Well, we still have two games to go with a tough trip to Saint Louis and Charlotte next weekend. For both opponents, the games are important as far as seeding and qualifying for the A-10 tournament but, in my mind, even more important for us in continuing the momentum and establishing a mindset for the future after getting the proverbial monkey off our back this weekend. The guys are excited for the opportunity to play spoiler and I am confident they will do everything they can to fulfill the part.

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

October 25, 2010

Dear Alumni & Friends,

We’re back from Philadelphia and it was a rather somber mood on the bus to Kingston last night. I wish I was able to report on a couple of Rhody wins but unfortunately we’ve come away with a 0-2 loss to St. Joe’s and 0-1 setback to Temple. The trip to Philly is always a tough as not only do you face the difficult challenge of playing Atlantic 10 conference games but one is on a small turf field of St. Joe’s and the other on the grass at Temple’s at Ambler Field, which is located quite a distance away from the main campus.

As with most of these entries, I try to convey the mood and details of the games, essentially trying to put you there with us. This is one of the first times that I feel a bit speechless. As I said to the boys after the heartbreaking lost to Temple 1-0, “I can’t ask much more from you and I’m proud of your efforts."

Suffice to say you would be very, very proud of them too - whether as a Rhody Alum, parent or friend of the program. The way they are handling themselves, the effort they are putting forth and the collective spirit and camaraderie they have showed during this difficult season is amazing. I don’t know if I could have done it at their age.

Before going on, I need to send a special thanks out to John & Valerie Tanke for the dinner and fun they treated the team to on Saturday night at Dave & Busters. It was a lot of fun and, in the process, the guys gained at new teammate in a 4-foot high stuffed monkey.

On Sunday, we had also had a wonderful tailgate following the match versus Temple hosted by Bruce & Teresa Apt. It was quite an occasion and included Ryan Apt’s grandparents and extended family, Judy Balicki, Angie & Hadley Warwick, Jerry & Nancie Preyss as well as Matt’s sister and baby niece, Wendy Palmer, Nancy & Matt Eckmayer and Jamie’s siblings, Paul & Shelly Haught, Barbara & Greg Gomez, the Tanke’s and Bill Markman. They were two very nice events that we were all very appreciative of the supportive and great food.

Before I close, just a reminder that we have our last two home games next weekend when La Salle and Fordham on Friday October 29th at 7:00 pm and Sunday October 31st at 1:00 pm. The game on Halloween will be a particularly special day as it is SENIOR DAY. Prior to the game, we will honor our six seniors in a pre-game ceremony. It would be great to get our alums, families and friends there. Following the game we will be holding our second annual end of the home regular season tailgate so let us know if you will be there!

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

October 18, 2010

Dear Alumni & Friends,

Saturday night turned out to be a great night for soccer, even though it began as a cold and blustery day here in South County. The wind died down and the temperature stabilized as the UMass Minutemen rolled into town for our annual neighborly Atlantic 10 battle between travel partners. Everything was looking good as we also had our friends at Ocean State Youth Soccer on hand for some half-time games as well as the Richmond Cub Scouts (including a snappy dressed and proud as a peacock Michael O’Connor) there for the pre-game introductions. But at the end of the day a goal in the 87th minute brought back the chills and gave the game to UMass.

It’s hard to describe the game but I can assure you it was a very good performance, one that was entertaining and competitive as every URI versus UMass game always is. As in the Xavier game, we started out very well and nearly got a superb goal from Greg Balicki (Wilbraham, MA) on a right-footed volley that looked from our vantage point on the bench, destined for the side netting. But the UMass goalkeeper came out of nowhere to swat it away. We kept the momentum and controlled the tempo of the game going into the intermission deadlocked 0-0.

In the second half we again came out storming creating quality chances but the UM keeper again rose to the task snuffing out a point blank shot by sophomore Matt Ribbens (Tinley Park, IL), a skim header by redshirt freshmen Joey Haught (Brecksville, OH) off a free kick and shot at an angle by senior Matt Preyss (Chagrin Falls, OH) that got deflected off the face of the goal going through as well as another attempt which was cleared off the line by a Massachusetts defender.

Nonetheless, it seemed it would be just a matter of time before we would get the game winner when lightning struck. A 25 yard shot by UM midfielder Chris Stoker (a transfer from Providence) knuckled, dipped and skipped into the corner just 4 minutes from time. As one of the UMass was heard exclaiming after the game “Thank God for the Jubulani” referring to the game ball that we use - the match ball used at the 2010 World Cup that was widely criticized for its “movement” at the altitude of South Africa.

It was quite a disappointment for everyone but as many of you have experienced, funny things happen in the Atlantic 10 so we know that the season is not over. Although it was made a little more difficult with this loss, the boys are keeping their heads up and will begin to prepare for our trip next weekend to Philadelphia where we will meet Saint Joseph’s University on Friday and Temple University on Sunday. Every game from now till the end of the season is an important one but we are not going to get ahead of ourselves but taking one game at a time.

Before I sign off, I want to send out an open invitation to all of our friends, families and alumni to the last home games of the season on Halloween weekend. La Salle and Fordham come to town with SENIOR DAY on Sunday October 31st. It is a great chance to honor our senior class so we hope we will see you there.

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

October 12, 2010

Dear Alums & Friends,

Spent the day yesterday with the family for the Columbus Day holiday. It was a nice reprieve after what was honestly a frustrating Sunday in Kingston. In looking back, it was a weekend that under different circumstances we might have been happy with the outcome. But, for myself, our staff and the our guy’s it was a difficult pill to swallow considering the opportunity that was presented to us.

Rewind to Friday for the 2010 Atlantic 10 Conference opener versus defending A10 regular season Champ University of Dayton. It was a beautiful night to play after some not so nice weather during the week. What we heard through our scouting report was that Dayton was a big athletic team with no more than 2 starters under 6 feet tall. This would be a challenge but it certainly wasn’t something that deterred the boy’s. From start to finish it was a great battle. Out of the gate Dayton the Flyers had the best of it but we soon found our legs and got a hold of the game. The first half ended in a stalemate with neither team having the better of the other. In the second half the tides began to change a bit as we began to generate chances that came in bunches. The best of which came from a Reece Markman (Dallas, TX) layoff to Thomas Lindroos (Espoo, Finland) inside the box that was saved point blank by the UD netminder. In overtime again we seemed to get the best of the chances but nearly lost a goal if not for a desperation slide tackle by central defender Franco LoPresti (Whitby, Ontario) that literally saved the game for us. The match finished a 0-0 draw and earned a point we certainly would take proudly considering the gutsy performance.

On Sunday, Dayton’s travel partner Xavier University came to down following a 0-2 loss to UMass on Friday. We started the game with a BANG hitting the post and earning a corner in the games first 5 minutes. It seemed as though all was on our side until the 8th minute when on Xavier’s first chance they got on the board. Lady Luck looked the other way 3 minutes later and we were down 0-2 and stunned a bit. If you had missed the first 15 minutes and the scoreboard wasn’t working you would have seen one-way traffic with the Rams leading the way. Our dominance in corners (17 to 1) and shots (25 to 7) couldn’t get us a victory as a bevy of attempts including a point blank volley by Jon Pereira (Barrington, RI) who along with Lindroos and Markman recorded 5 shots a piece, were thwarted. It seemed we just couldn’t catch a break even when a rocket of a shot by Matt Preyss (Chagrin Falls, OH), destined for the back of the net got deflected at the last minute or the three glance headers by Lindroos on there way to tickling the twine seemed to have eyes and steer around the post. The game was just not to be ours in spite of the tremendous offensive effort we put forth.

But, as we all know the first weekend of the conference season, although important does not a season make. Last season we opened with two losses but ended as the 4th seed in the A-10 tournament. Up next is our New England rival and travel partner the UMass Minutemen on Saturday October 16th. It will certainly be a great match as it always as the UM is led by National Player of the Year candidate Ben Arikian. Kick-off is at 7:00 pm at the URI Soccer Complex and we hope to see all of you there.

Before I sign off I wanted to pass along a link to an article that appeared on the front back of the Boston Globe sports section last week on URI’s all-time leader in points and MLS veteran Andy Williams of the Real Salt Lake. It was a real nice piece and hope you enjoy it:

http://www.boston.com/sports/soccer/articles/2010/10/05/williamss_odyssey_has_a_happy_ending/

Finally, following our trip to play the University of South Florida and subsequent visit by former URI Coach Geza Henni and his son’s Geza Jr. and Chris, I have received a boat load of emails reflecting back on their time playing under the URI coaching legend. Below are some excerpts from one such email…

I was a member of URI's men's soccer program from 1969 to 1972 (graduating in 1973); one year on the Freshman squad and then a three-year starter, mostly as sweeper (at least that's what we called it back then). First, let me apologize for not composing this prior to your Florida trip. However, I do want to share some memories from that period:

Although I was a defender, I did score two goals in my URI career, one at BC and one at BU. Unfortunately, the latter was an “own goal” and we lost 3-1; Coach was not happy!

Winning the Yankee Conference in 1972 (back then, it included all the New England state schools (UVM, UMass, etc.) and some others, like BU and BC. The season came down to the last game that was played at Storrs against UConn, with the winner taking the crown. We played in front of the biggest crowd of my soccer career, and we dominated - winning 5-1!

As a result of the above, we earned a berth into the NCAA New England Regional that Fall. This was first time any URI team reached an NCAA Tournament, so we were pretty pumped. There were four teams: Harvard (ranked #1 in New England and #3 nationally); Brown (our arch rival and also ranked nationally); URI; and UConn.

Of course, we got to play Harvard, in Cambridge, in a monsoon and without one of our star defenders (Pete Schneider), who sustained a broken leg at UMaine a few weeks prior. While we played them tough, we ultimately lost 1-0 on a disputed goal scored with less than two minutes remaining, but we left with our heads held high because no one had given us a chance. Almost as memorable, was the feast afterwards at Mamma Leone’s in Boston, courtesy of our Athletic Director, where we celebrated with the many supporters that came up from Kingston. I think the bill was almost $900, a huge sum at the time. On the way back to campus, Coach had the bus drop off our co-captain and leading scorer, Luis Calvalho, at his house in East Providence!

In addition to the necessary training and game preparation that Coach excelled at (including the dreaded 2-mile runs around the outside perimeter of the fields behind Keaney Gym), he also made sure we had fun. Most notably:

We had very competitive tournaments on the adjacent tennis courts (without cleats), using soccer balls that weren't allowed to hit the ground

If we prodded him, Coach would get in the goal and dare us to score on him (we almost never did). Back then we all thought that anyone over 30 was old, but he’d put on a show, shut us down and was very modest about it all.

Finally, long bus rides to away games were the norm, the worst being the annual sojourn to Orono, Maine (sorry Coach O'Connor), to play the Black Bears. It was six+ long hours on Route 95 that cut through the deep woods of Maine, with no cell phones or laptops for diversions! But what we had, was better – Coach used to tell us the stories of how he and his family fled the Nazis before and during WWII. While my memory is fading somewhat (I’m in the over 30 crowd now too!), what I remember is that all of us were riveted to every word of those real life tales.

I have very fond memories of my playing days at URI and a big part of that, of course, was Coach Henni. I would appreciate your passing this note on to him. While, I have lost contact with him and my teammates over the years, I am sure that I’m speaking on their behalf when I wish Coach the warmest congratulations on an outstanding career and a wonderful family (Geza Jr. was just a little guy back then, but you could just see the talent oozing out of him!).

Good luck the rest of the season - Go RAMS!
Best regards,
Don Gilmore '73

Thanks Dan for a great recount of some wonderful days playing here at URI. I can tell you it was no picnic for me to travel from Orono to most of our good New England games during the 80’s… LOL.

But, as I read through the emails I can’t help but keep asking myself the question: What can we do for Coach Henni to show him how much he meant to URI and the program? I think it is about time and I have some very good ideas but it is going to take all of you alums out there to make it happen. Interested? Contact me via e-mail or phone and I’ll fill you in fully.

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

October 4, 2010

Dear Alumni & Friends,

I had a whirlwind of a Sunday with church, Sunday School, Chariho Youth Soccer games with my kids Megan and Michael (Megan’s team won their first game 2-0 and Michael tied 3-3, scoring 2 goals) and then out to dinner with Trish and Terry Casey '85 - which was the first time Sheila and I have been out in quite a while. So, I am a little late with the weekend update.

Saturday was an emotional roller coaster of a night that ended on a bright note in a 1-1 draw with Fairfield. For those of you who were there, it was an ending that you will not see very often in your goalkeeper scoring a goal, other than on a penalty shot.

It was a beautiful night and we had a good crowd - which again included a lot of our supporters from Chariho Youth Soccer. We started out very sharp and things were going well until unfortunately a miscommunication between Peyton Warwick (Prairie Village, KS) and Dwayne Williams (Westmoreland, Jamaica) ended with the ball at a Stag forward's foot with an open goal in front of him for the 1-0 lead.

It was a bit deflating because things had started so well but the guys preserved and kept at it, creating good chances including a ball that freshmen Tom Palmer (Hummelstown, PA) drove across the front of the goal that sophomore forward Thomas Lindroos (Espoo, Finland) just couldn’t quite reach. Central defender Franco Lo Presti (Scarborough, Ontario) nearly got us the equalizer on a corner so we went into the break looking ahead to the second half.

We came out of half-time with a fire, led by some dangerous runs forward by co-captain Matt Preyss (Chagrin Falls, OH) and inspired combination play by senior Greg Balicki (Wilbraham, MA), junior forward Reece Markman (Dallas, TX) and junior David Malloy (Oxford, England) - who had dropped into the midfield. We seemed to have the best of the second stanza, fighting, scratching and clawing our way through the game.

We’ve talked a lot about making sure we finish the game strong and we did just that, earning a corner kick with about 1 minute left in regulation. We pushed everyone in - including goalkeeper Peyton Warwick. We got great service from senior Jon Pereira (Barrington, RI) that found David Malloy’s head and what looked to be the tying goal. But the ball hit a Fairfield defender in the chest, dropped down and forward/goalkeeper Warwick lashed into the goal. WOW! An ESPN top 10 moment and great retribution Peyton, whose plus/minus in hockey would have been a 0 for the night.



In overtime both teams had their chances but the best came when Pereira hit a volley from about 10 yards out that front the bench area looked as though it had eyes but only a good save by the Stags goalkeeper kept it a draw. We would have loved the win but in the end the tie was an important stepping stone going into the second season that is Atlantic 10 Conference play.

It all begins this weekend with an A-10 doubleheader starting with Friday’s clash with defending regular season champion Dayton at 7:00 pm. Then on Sunday, we take on the second of our Ohio opponents with a mid-day match vs. Xavier at Noon... PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A CHANGE IN START TIME. ADMISSION IS FREE so come one come all to cheer for your hometown boys!

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

October 1, 2010

Dear Alumni & Friends,

I just arrived back on campus yesterday after an early morning departure for us all on our 7:55 am flight back to Rhode Island. The 2-0 loss at South Florida was a disappointment as two early goals off of corner kicks gave the Bulls a cushion that we just couldn’t get past.

It was a bit of a tale of two halves with the second more our way but not enough to tickle the back of the net. After being on our heels for a bit, we were able to find our way into the game, out cornering the hosts in the second half as well as creating some good chances that put USF under pressure and uncomfortable.

Defensively, we stayed organized and although the stats look as though USF were shooting at will, only a few chances were truly dangerous and, even then, goalkeeper Peyton Warwick (Prairie Village, KS) kept us in the game with a couple of key stops including a semi-breakaway. We got some encouraging wide play from sophomore Jamie Eckmayer (Harrison Park, NJ) and freshmen Tom Palmer (Hummelstown, PA) as well as couple of surging runs from sophomore forward Thomas Lindroos (Espoo, Finland) who is just returning from injury.

As you know, the past three matches have been tough on us as we have played three very good teams away from home and haven’t come away with a result. Getting ourselves more chances in attack is going to be key as we move towards the A-10 season. The old adage is true, “if you don’t shoot you can’t score”.

The trip to South Florida was not one without its’ rewards as we received late news in the afternoon before the game that former URI head coach Geza Henni would be attending the game. As the team was warming up, I looked up into the stands and there he was sitting there with his sons Geza Jr. ‘83 and Chris. The folks at the University of South Florida were gracious enough to rope off some seats in the front row of the stands so he could get a good view of the game.

It was a wonderful sight to see the man who put University of Rhode Island soccer on the map. I remember travelling to Kingston as a college player at the University of Maine for the final game of the season and taking a 7-0 drubbing led by Geza Jr’s hat trick. I came away from that game thinking that these were the first real complete soccer players I had played against. The UConn and Boston University teams of that era were big strong athletic kids who played the soccer but Coach Henni’s squad was filled with skillful and smooth players with some ethnic flare and a better feel for the game. They were a team way ahead of their time.

Anyway, I was really happy he attended and our players got to meet a real Rhody legend and Hall of Famer. Attached is a photo of Coach Henni and his sons as well as some of our parents/friends with the team after the game. Geza Jr. said in an email of the evening:

"It was a wonderful evening for my dad, me and Chris. I can’t thank you enough. In the midst of getting ready for kickoff and right after a tough match, you and the players so gracefully and warmly took the time to visit with us. I could tell it really touched my dad to have this outpouring of affection."



As I said we had a nice little following in the stands as also attending the game were Pat Maguire ’92, Nancy & Matt Eckmayer, Bob Gargaro, Angie & Hadley Warwick, Bob & Anne Kuklinski and URI track & field alum & former assistant coach Sarah Thornton.

Well, no rest for the weary as we finish off the non-conference part of the schedule by hosting Fairfield this Saturday evening, October 2nd, 7:00 pm at the URI Soccer Complex. The last time we were there it was an exciting 2-1 overtime win over Siena College.

The following weekend, the Atlantic 10 Conference schedule is under way with defending A-10 regular season champion Dayton coming to town (Friday October 8th at 7:00 pm) followed by a Sunday afternoon match against Xavier (at 12 Noon…THIS IS A CHANGE IN START TIME). ADMISSION IS FREE so come one come all.

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

September 27, 2010

Dear Alumni & Friends,

Some nights you have to look at a game and just chalk it up to a bad performance. I think after Friday’s 3-0 loss at BU, we just need to put it behind us and move on. I can tell you that everyone was disappointed and the frustration was evident, mostly due to shooting ourselves in the foot more than a few times.

First was conceding the first goal on a free kick that went through the wall. Second was giving up a goal with only 10 seconds left in the first half. The Terriers’ third goal was a cleverly finished ball - but again, a mistake in decision making that is correctable.

Assistant coach Mitch Stone made and interesting observation after the game that URI men’s soccer hasn’t had much historical success over the Terriers who hold a 13-5-2 record over the past 20 years. That darn 3-5-2!

On the night, Peyton Warwick (Prairie Village, KS) was good in goal. When you lose 0-3 that may not be as evident but he made several key saves that could have broken it wide open.

Senior Anthony Tavares (E. Providence, RI) finished up the game in net, keeping things organized in his second appearance of the season.

Jamie Eckmayer (Harrison Park, NJ) had a good match, bringing energy, confidence and enthusiasm to the squad, as did the guys that finished the game - including freshman Josiah Austin ( Arouca, Trinidad) and sophomore Andrew Tetzlaff (Livingston, NJ) who made his first appearance in a Ram uniform.

Yesterday it was a day off and a clinic for the Chariho Youth Soccer Association. For those of you who were there for the Siena game, CYSA held their “Youth Soccer Night” on that date and were there in full force! They had a pot luck tail gate in the Ryan Center parking lot before the game, pre-game festivities including a rally tunnel before the match and half-time entertainment games. We went to their home field of Ninigret Park on Saturday morning for a short clinic/demonstration followed by photos, autographs and give-a-ways. The guys even joined in some of the games (no scoring of course). It was a beautiful summer like day and a nice way to thank CYSA for their support of URI Soccer.

Now, we get back to training in preparation of our trip to Tampa for a Wednesday night match-up at South Florida. While there, we hope to catch up with former URI Coach Geza Henni who lives in Tampa, as does son Geza Henni Jr. ’82, so if you will be down for the game let me know so you can join us for dinner.

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

September 23, 2010

Dear Alumni & Friends,

When we were on our way back from Boston College the other night, I have to admit that we were all a little disappointed. We could look on the bright side and say we hung with the #10 ranked team in the country (now 5th ranked) for 80 plus minutes but we’re not much into moral victories. What I can say is that we had chances to beat the highly ranked Eagles but couldn’t capitalize on their mistakes and, in the end, they caught us twice.

It was a beautiful night in Chestnut Hill, at a beautiful soccer complex - which, funny enough, was designed and built by our own URI alum Pat Maguire ‘82 and his Stantec consulting firm. Pat was there, as was Dan Brownridge ‘01, and a nice group of parents and friends including the Eckmayers, Morans and even freshmen Jon Cloutier’s parents who came all the way from Hawaii.

The game started off well as the guys played the Eagles even for the first 45 minutes of the match. Although, statistically it looked as though BC had the edge, their chances were easily handled by Peyton Warwick (Prairie Village, KS) or sailed high over the crossbar on a shot from 30 yards. The best chances came from the visitors including David Malloy (Oxford, England) and Greg Balicki (Wilbraham, MA).

On the defensive side, it was nice to have Dwayne Williams (Westmoreland, Jamaica) back in the line-up along with his “Friday the 13th” style mask custom made to protect the orbital bone he broke scoring against Bryant.

At half-time, the sideline was buzzing as the squad knew they had done well to that point but we still had more inside. Being the underdog, the longer the game went on tied the better it was for us. As the game wore on, the momentum on both sides increased creating chances.

Peyton Warwick came up big on a semi-breakaway and David Malloy nearly chipped the Eagle net-minder. Then, in the 80th minute, a rather innocuous cross turned into a well headed goal from 16 yards out and the home team had the lead. A insurance goal less than 5 minutes later sealed the game and left us all a little gutted.

The bus ride home was a quiet one, as everyone seemed to be taking some time to think about what had transpired and the opportunity missed. But, you can’t dwell on what can’t be changed as we have a short turnaround in preparation for our next match against Boston University - Friday night at Nickerson Field.

Last year we dropped a close 1-2 decision at home, so motivation for a result shouldn’t be a problem. We continue to develop as a team and if we keep at it the results will take care of themselves.

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

September 20, 2010

Dear Alumni & Friends,

What a night! It was a beautiful nearly fall evening at the URI Soccer Complex. It was a busy one as not only were we hosting the home opener of 2010 but it was also the 3rd Annual Grassroot Soccer Fundraiser game as well as Chariho Youth Soccer Night. Everything was lined up to be a great night and in the end a 2-1 overtime win over the Siena Saints capped it off.

This game is always a tough one as Siena is coached, as many of you know, by URI soccer standout and my former Assistant Coach Gareth Elliott along with his classmate and Assistant Ahmed Manning ‘02. At the end of the night someone is going to be disappointed and for the last two years the Saints have had the upper hand.

Prior to the game was an amazing site…about 300+ Chariho Youth Soccer parents and players tailgating in the Ryan Center parking lot while on the other side of the complex our own Rams FC families were doing the same. As people started to file in we could tell it was going to be a good night all around. The guy’s were treated to a awesome “Rally Tunnel” by the CYSA players and following the other pre-match festivities, the game was on.

We were fortunate to get things going pretty quickly, generating a couple of good chances early with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. We nearly got on the board with a David Malloy (Oxford, England) chance in close as well as another by Jon Pereira (Barrington, RI). Things calmed down and bit and Siena had their share of threats through their speedy forward and Norwegian wide player. We regained a good rhythm that carried us into half-time 0-0.

We came out fast again in the second half and the effort paid off as Malloy cleverly put Reece Markman (Dallas, TX) through the Saints defense and he in turn curled a great cross to the back post that was met by a sliding Greg Balicki (Wilbraham, MA) for the 1-0 lead. We nearly got another minutes later on another Balicki blast but only an outstanding save by the Saints goalkeeper Phil Chabot who is from Smithfield, RI stopped us from extending the lead.

Siena is a much better squad then their record shows and we knew they would not go down without a battle. So, Rams goalkeeper Peyton Warwick (Prairie Village, KS) was pressed and called upon to make a couple of outstanding saves to keep the home team on top. But, the opportunistic Saints got the chance they were looking for equalizing on an angled free kick. It was no surprise that now it would go down to the wire as it had the past two seasons.

It only took about four minutes into the overtime for the boy’s to find joy. After a run forward by spearheaded by a Balicki and Malloy combination, a ball slipped in behind the Saints defense was deflected by their central defender to their left back who attempted to clear it. But, “Johnny on the Spot” sophomore Jamie Eckmayer (Harrison Park, NJ) blocked the clearance and finished it for the game winner.

At the end I was extremely happy with the entire event as almost everyone was a winner. We got the win, which was really important at this stage in our development as a team, the fans were treated to an exciting game with their home town Rams coming out on top and we raised over $2,000 for Grassroot Soccer.

The next week or so we hit the road for games that will give us a gauge on where we are as we take on nationally ranked Boston College on Tuesday September 21st, New England rival Boston University on Friday September 24th and then travel to Big East powerhouse University of South Florida on Wednesday September 29th. We return home on Saturday October 2nd for the final game of the non-conference season to face the Fairfield University Staggs at 7:00 pm.

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

September 14, 2010

Dear Alumni & Friends,

Not a great weekend for the Rams as we travelled to Norfolk, VA to play in Old Dominion’s Stihl Soccer Classic. Going in, we knew that it would be very good competition and a tremendous challenge, especially considering we were without the services of senior central defender Dwayne Williams (Westmoreland, Jamaica) who was injured in Monday’s match vs. Bryant. So, needless to say, the team boarded the plane for Virginia ready to take on the challenge.

On Friday night against host Old Dominion, the crowd of nearly 2,000 rabid Monarch fans created a tremendous atmosphere. ODU had entered the game with two impressive opening wins on the season, so we certainly had our hands full. The game started fast and furious, and the boys created some great early chances forcing several corners. ODU weathered the storm and got on the board first on a classy finish from their leading scorer Chris Harmon, who played in the same FC Delco club soccer program as freshmen Tom Palmer (Hummelstown, PA).

The team pressed on in the second half and it looked like we might finally be literally one up on the hosts when Reece Markman (Dallas, TX) received a pass and was hauled down going past the final ODU defender. However, only a caution was issued and the ensuing free kick went over the top. At the interval, we had outshot the hosts, 6-5, and out cornered them, 8-3, but had nothing to show on the scoreboard. We continued to press in the second half but only ODU could find the net, the insurance goal and the victory.

Sunday, we matched up against William & Mary, which had come from behind to defeat a very athletic West Virginia Mountaineer squad, 2-1, on Friday. The boys were really motivated and looked sharp but an early soft goal on a miscommunication led to an early lead for W&M just 2:22 into the match. We plugged along and looked very good on the attack with some great interchanges.

But, at nearly the 30 minute mark, a foul (and subsequent dubious penalty call) became the game changing moment. Instead of being 0-1 down and gaining momentum, we were in a much more difficult position. Trailing by two in the second half, we once again we thought we would get some help when - for the second time in three days - David Malloy (Oxford, England) was taken down going through the Tribe defense and, although a fall wasn’t called, W&M continued to play with 11 players. I give the boys a lot of credit as they continued to press for a goal but with that, you can expose yourself as a team - and we did so twice, conceding 2 more goals in the final 20 minutes for the 4-0 final.

On the bright side, I believe that we are making progress individually with players like Jon Cloutier (Honolulu, HI) who made his first collegiate start, playing nearly all of both games, as well as Matt Ribbens (Tinley Park, IL), who is really growing into his own. In addition, I though the quality of our play from the ODU game to William & Mary was excellent and that we can build on for our next match.

Finally, it was nice to see sophomore defender Robby Gargaro (Naperville, IL) and senior midfielder Michael Tanke (Niles, MI) honored as part of the All-Tournament team.

Well, it’s on to the next match and a good week of training in preparation for the home opener this Saturday September 18th versus URI Alum Gareth Elliott and his Siena College Saints at 7:00 pm at the URI Soccer Complex. As I noted in the last email, this is not only is the game the first home match of the year but also our 3rd Annual Grassroot Soccer fundraising game. As many of you know Grassroot Socceris a non-profit Aids/HIV education organization that uses soccer to send their message of responsibility and abstinence to the children of Africa. Admission is FREE to the game but we are asking that those in attendance make a donation ($5 for adults, $1 for children and students) of which all proceeds go directly to this great cause. We are also hosting Chariho Youth Soccer that night and hope you will be able to join us.

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

September 9, 2010

Dear Alumni & Friends,

Sorry for the delay in the postgame email but we’ve been trying to sort some things out as classes begun today. Anyway, we had an exciting finish to the first annual Ocean State Soccer Classic with a 3-2 win over interstate rival Bryant University.

It was a beautiful day in Providence and Stevenson Field at host Brown University was in excellent condition. We had a lot of family and alums there, as well as some special friends including former URI men’s soccer strength & conditioning coach and good pal Doug Stone (who was at the PC game and I missed mentioning him). It was beautiful weather and an excellent atmosphere and we couldn’t have asked for anything more on the day.

With all this, we got a great start to the game and within minutes the first goal of the game. After pressing Bryant and earning a corner senior defender Dwayne Williams (Westmoreland, Jamaica) hammered - and I do mean hammered! - home a Jonathan Pereira (Barrington, RI) service. The ball exploded off his head and we were on the board. Minutes later, we almost got our second but defender Eric Hutson (St. Charles, MO) put a volley just over the bar. But we did get the second on a wonderful pass from redshirt freshmen Joey Haught (Brecksville, OH) to midfielder Jamie Eckmayer (Harrington Park, NJ) who slotted it past the Bulldogs goalkeeper.

We looked as though we were on our way and cruising but soccer is a funny game as it doesn’t take long for a team to get back in the game and Bryant did just that…in just a minute. The Bulldogs scored their first off a free kick and the second on a counter to knot the game at 2-2 at the half.

We regrouped at the interval and began to string some passes together as well as create some chances. Dwayne Williams nearly got his second of the day but only a good save but the Bryant keeper kept him off the board. The guys kept plugging away and, with about 2 minutes to go freshmen, defender Jon Cloutier (Honolulu, Hawaii) intercepted a ball and while stumbling, redirected to sophomore Matt Ribbens (Tinley Park, IL) who in turn fed junior forward Reece Markman (Dallas, TX) running through the Bulldog defense. Reece collected the pass, drew the GK and slid it across to Thomas Lindroos (Espoo, Finland) who one timed it into an open goal for the game winner. It was an exciting end to the game but I would have preferred it a little easier as you can imagine.

Well, we are off today to Norfolk, VA to play in the Old Dominion University/Stihl Soccer Classic. We play the host ODU Monarchs on Friday at 7:00 pm and then CAA foe William & Mary on Sunday at Noon. I have heard it is a great event and I know we are all looking forward to going their and competing against two very good teams.

Before I sign off I want to welcome back former URI Ram and former captain Callum Bissett who just returned to campus to begin a graduate degree in Systems Engineering. We are excited to get Callum involved with the program while he is here and also to have him working with our youth club Rams FC.

Finally, a reminder that the home opener is a little over a week away on Saturday September 18th when we meet URI Alum Gareth Elliott and his Siena College Saints at 7:00 pm at the URI Soccer Complex. Not only is the game the home opener but is also our 3rd Annual Grassroot Soccer fundraising game. As many of you may know Grassroot Soccer is a non-profit Aids/HIV education organization that uses soccer to send their message of responsibility and abstinence to the children of Africa. Admission is FREE to the game but we are asking that those in attendance make a donation of which all proceeds go directly to this great cause. We are hosting Chariho Youth Soccer that night and hope you will be able to join us.

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

September 3, 2010

Dear Alumni & Friends,

The season opened yesterday and unfortunately we were on the losing end of a 2-1 result at intrastate rival Providence in the first semi-final of the 1st annual Ocean State Classic. The match was played in the 94 degree heat of the day that didn’t help either team in the end. It was nice to see a good group of alums and families including Gareth Elliott (I’m sure scouting us after his Siena Saints big 5-1 win over Syracuse Wednesday), Kevin Kennedy, Mario Pereira and Lonny Unger as well as the Tanke’s, Haught’s, Balicki’s, Kuklinski’s, Dragon’s and defender Eric Hutson (St. Louis, MO) mom who was there to celebrate his 21st birthday. Hopefully I didn’t miss anyone...

Anyway, it was a tale of two halves as the Friars dominated possession, but we got on the scoreboard first - just 2 minutes into the game. Senior defender Dwayne Williams (Westmoreland, Jamaica) drove a long pass into the PC defensive third where the ball skimmed off one of their central defenders and over their goalkeeper for an own goal. Before the half would end, we would trade bad goals as a miscommunication at the back allowed one of the Providence forwards to slip in and intercept the ball, dribble around goalkeeper Peyton Warwick (Prairie Village, KS) and deposit it into an open goal for the 1-1 tie. Our guy’s nearly got the lead back when a Jon Pereira (Barrington, RI) driven cross found midfielder Jamie Eckmayer (Harrington Park, NJ) at the back post but his shot went high.

The second half was a different story as the boy’s began to connect passes in combination with Matt Ribbens (Tinley Park, IL), Joey Haught (Brecksville, OH) and freshmen forward Tom Palmer (Hummelstown, PA) leading the charge. The pin point passing created numerous opportunities including one for senior Greg Balicki (Wilbraham, MA), Eckmayer from an angle and Thomas Lindroos (Espoo, Finland) and Palmer on a 2 on 1 break whose final pass was played too far ahead. The Friars got the last chance when with 3 minutes left following a Ram turnover, a nifty bent cross found a diving Friar player for the winner.

After a day off and some much needed rest from the heat we’ll be back at it on Saturday in preparation for the consolation game of the Ocean State Classic on Monday at Brown University. We will play the loser of the Bryant vs Brown game that is later today in Smithfield. Hopefully Hurricane Earl will not interfere with the game being played as the nasty weather is not supposed to get to Rhode Island until after midnight. If this is the case then the game will be played on Saturday and the result known then.

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

August 28, 2010

Dear Alumni & Friends,

We had our final scrimmage of the preseason Friday, on a beautiful summer night in front of a nice crowd of friends and family. We took the field against a very good Western New England College squad which has qualified for six consecutive NCAA Division III championships and features several NSCAA All-Americans.

The game certainly had the feel of a preseason game with nervousness and energy on both sides. The first half was a bit of a stalemate but could have favored the Rams if not for a Reece Markman (Dallas, TX) goal from 25 yards out that was called back for a foul. It wasn’t a bad performance, just not one that was up to the expectations of everyone on the home side

The second half was a different story as sophomore forward Thomas Lindroos (Espoo, Finland) had a goal and an assist on route to a 3-0 win. Freshmen defender Jon Cloutier (Honolulu, HI) opened up the scoring when he picked up a loose ball just outside the Western New England penalty area and - after beating one player - fired a nice driven shot into the lower right hand corner.

The second goal of the game came by virtue of a penalty shot by Thomas Lindroos (Espoo, Finland), who was tripped up by the WNEC goalkeeper. They say that things come in threes and a short time later, the Rams got their third when sophomore center midfielder Matt Ribbens (Tinley Park, IL) redirected Thomas Lindroos’ driven ball from the end line.

Goalkeepers Peyton Warwick (Prairie Village, KS), Anthony Tavares (E. Providence, RI) and Adam Blanchard (Scarborough, ME) combined for the shutout.

Today, we visited Scarborough Beach for a little recovery workout and soak in the ocean followed by a BBQ lunch at URI President David Dooley’s house. The President and his wife Lynn are big athletic supporters and over the past six months have hosted each of the athletic teams to their house for a meal. It is a great chance for him to meet the team but more importantly for the guys to meet him and to visit their home.

The regular season is just around the corner and so is our match-up with Providence College. The fall opener is THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2nd at 1:00 PM in Providence. It is the first semi-final match in the inaugural Ocean State Soccer Classic. We hope to see as many alums and friends there as possible as you know this will be a great match-up.

One last thing before I sign off - about my email earlier this spring concerning a possible dinner honoring former URI Coaching legend Geza Henni. As you may know from looking at the schedule, we are playing the University of South Florida on Wednesday, September 29th in Tampa - which happens to be the home of Coach Henni and his son Geza Jr... What I wanted to do was have a dinner the evening before the match where he would be the honored guest. This would include the present team and as many of his former players as possible. We have received interest from several alums including Terry Casey, Lance Klima, Mike Stricklin, Pat Maguire, Lenny Mecurio, Mike Rogers and Joe Tavares. But, to make it worthwhile - as well as allow people time to book airline tickets and hotel rooms (we could get a rate in the hotel the team is staying) and set up a meal - we need firm commitments from anyone and everyone who would attend. This could be a very special event which would include the dinner, and of course attending the game, for a very special man in the twilight of his life... So, please let me know if you would commit to attending by Friday, September 3rd. At that time, if the numbers are good we will make the call on whether it will happen.

Take care and enjoy the rest of the weekend…

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

August 26, 2010

Dear Alumni & Friends,

Hope your summer has been going well and you’ve taken advantage of the season to its’ fullest. Sorry for not being in touch for a bit but I’ve switched over to a new computer and just recently got my email lists transferred. Well we are officially finished with week one of pre-season today and I can say that I’m very happy with what I’ve seen so far in training. We have a great group of returners and our newcomers, who come from all over, have integrated themselves in very well.

We’ve had some great practices in spite of the incredible amount of rain that we have had over the past few days. It has helped the practice field (which is pretty hard) and in turn the guys' legs have been saved a bit. The pre-season has been very productive on many fronts, starting with some team building and leadership training led by Assistant Coach Mitch Stone’s father Greg. Greg is the former Dean of Students at Castleton State College and was a Student Development professional for over 35 years until he retired this past June. I was fortunate enough to work for Greg and his wife Lil as an undergraduate RA, graduate student hall director and then professional residence hall director. I have always held Greg in high regard for his knowledge of leadership development. We had a good couple of days with him and the boys learned a lot about themselves and each other.

The other special event the guys were treated to was a dinner held by Trish & Terry Casey at their home in Wakefield, RI. Terry is a former URI player (1985 grad) and Trish is a URI alum and now Assistant Controller for the University. They are tremendous supporters and friends of our program and were kind enough to have the team as well as some other friends of the program along including Dean of the Business School Mark Higgins and his wife, the Pesante family, Trish’s sister and husband as well as Bob & Anne Kuklinski, parents of Parker Kuklinski ‘14.

Anyway, this past Monday we had our first scrimmage versus UNH and were on the positive end of at 2-1 score. Senior co-captain Matt Preyss (Chagrin Falls, OH) opened up the scoring in the first half off assists from classmate Jon Pereira (Barrington, RI) and Tom Palmer (Hummelstown, PA) off a corner. After a slow start, the guys got ahold of the game and created a number of good chances throughout the match - including a near header goal by Franco LoPresti (Scarborough, Ontario).

The second half was a great build up and a switch of play resulted in our second goal scored by sophomore forward Thomas Lindroos (Espoo, Finland). He was set up by a very decisive pass played across the face of the Wildcat goal by sophomore midfielder Matt Ribbens (Tinley Park, IL). It was great timing all around and Thomas slid in and smashed it home.

In the later stages of the half, New Hampshire mounted a couple of good chances including a semi-breakaway that was snuffed out by sophomore goalkeeper Adam Blanchard (Scarborough, ME). UNH finally got on the board with a goal of their its with less than 10 seconds remaining but it was too little, too late for the visitors.

We play our final exhibition game of the pre-season on Friday August 27th at 7:00 pm against University of Western New England here at the URI soccer complex. Following that we taper down our workouts and get ready for the regular season opener on Thursday September 2nd at 1:00 pm versus Providence College in the first round of the Ocean State Soccer Classic. The home opener is Saturday September 18th at 7:00 pm pitting your Rams against former URI standout Gareth Elliott ‘02 and his Siena College Saints in our Second Annual Grassroot Soccer fundraiser game. You can see the remainder of the schedule at http://www.gorhody.com.

Before I sign off, some quick news from the alumni front. Hopefully you all got to see Geoff Cameron ‘08 make his first start back for the Houston Dynamo versus the New England Revolution after injuring his PCL at the beginning of the Major League Soccer season. Many of us who saw the game thought he had a great match in the loss and looked so strong and comfortable. Our other MLSer Danleigh Borman ‘08 has a couple of new teammates at New York Red Bull as the club signed both French International Thierry Henry and his former FC Barcelona teammate Rafael Marquez. I can imagine that the training sessions must be unbelievable and can’t wait to hear from DB about them. Former URI captain Callum Bissett ‘08 is returning to Kingston to pursue a Masters Degree. We are excited to have him back where we will get him involved in the program in some capacity. Speaking of returning to Kingston, you will notice a familiar name on the roster as Chris Pennock ‘10 has joined the Rhody staff as a volunteer coach. Got a nice email from Vince McCrudden ‘83 with his best wishes as well as let me know he is moving to China for a year or so for business. I’m sure you all join me in wishing him safe travels. Finally, got a visit from Joe Spofford’ 07 last weekend as he was in RI visiting friends. He is working for the United Way in DC and continues to play on a couple of teams around Washington.

Last but not least keep your eyes peeled for a “Meet & Greet” alumni event graciously sponsored by Chris Simon and Charlie O’s Tavern in Narragansett. It will be a great chance for you all to meet the 2010 team as well as catch up with your former teammates and friends. We are presently working on a date and will let you know the details as soon as we can. Take care and we hope to see you soon…

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

P.S. Check out senior midfielders Michael Tanke’s blog called “Tuesdays with Tanke”. You can see the first installment as well the all his rants during the season at www.gorhody.com.

May 24, 2010

Dear Alums,

Yesterday was graduation so campus will be pretty quite for a bit before summer school begins as well as the other things happening on campus like conferences and camps. For us here in the soccer office it is a good time to get some busy work done before we hit the road for recruiting as well as camps this summer.

Later this week we will be announcing our 2010 schedule that includes the NEWLY ESTABLISHED Ocean State Soccer Classic that will pit Providence, Brown, Bryant and ourselves in an intra-state tourney to kick off the season. This fall we will play matches against seven teams who participated in the 2009 NCAA Championships with one of our non-conference highlights being a game at the University of South Florida on Wednesday September 29th. USF was one of the top teams in the Big East last season and will be a tremendous challenge for us. The wonderful thing about this game is that USF is located in Tampa, FL, now the home of URI coaching legend Geza Henni.

As many of you are aware, one of my goals since coming to URI four seasons ago was to find a way to honor Geza for his long time service to URI men’s soccer. We have tried to get him to return to Kingston but he just not up making the trip as he is now in his 80’s. So, I would like to get some feedback on an idea my Assistant Mitch Stone came up with just recently.

What we propose is to put together a dinner in Tampa in honor of Geza the night before the game at USF which would be Tuesday September 28th. Our vision would be a reception and dinner followed by an opportunity for players from different eras speak about Geza, recalling memories of their experience playing for him. We would certainly give Geza a chance to speak too and would finish the night with a slide show and presentation of a gift (or gifts) to Coach Henni. It would be a great chance for former players and friends to come together and celebrate his contributions to University of Rhode Island soccer.

The next evening it would be great for those who are still in FL to attend the game and root on the Rams but if not then we certainly understand as being there for Geza is much more important to me at this point.

So, what do you think? I do realize this is midweek but this opportunity is just too great to pass up. I have run it by a couple of guys including Mike Stricklin and he believes that we can get a great turnout. If you would be willing to make the trip, then please email me to let me know. If you have any ideas about a gift or gifts for him then drop me a line too. I would love for it to be something significant and long lasting so keep that in mind…

Hope to hear from all of you soon,
OC

April 19, 2010

Dear Alums & Friends of URI Soccer,

I apologize if I am duplicating this email (or information) to you but it came to my attention this weekend that some of our Friends & Alumni may not be getting my last few correspondences. A few months ago we began using a new web based recruiting and database management system called "Front Rush". We are excited about it as not only can we use it in keeping organized in contact with prospective student-athletes but also the current team and our Alums & Friends. It seems that there may be some glitches in our set up and the some of you may not be receiving our correspondences (i.e. they are going to your email spam folder). We are working on correcting them but until then wanted to drop you some important information concerning the Annual Alumni Game and end of the year Team Banquet.

The ALUMNI GAME is less than a week away and will be played on SUNDAY APRIL 25th at NOON. It was originally scheduled for Saturday May 1st but we had to move it due to rules concerning the end date for our non-traditional season (that must be a week before reading period begins). I hope this will not be a problem as we look forward to having our former players back on campus for what is always a competitive game. All alums and friends plus their families and significant others are welcome and it will be followed a BBQ. PLEASE RSVP to me at joconnor@mail.uri.edu by Friday April 23rd so we can make sure we have enough t-shirts for those playing and food for everyone in attendance.

We also extend you an invitation to our end of the year TEAM BANQUET ON SATURDAY MAY 1ST at 12 Noon at the Institute for International Sport (formerly the International Student-Athlete Hall of Fame) which is located off Route 138 just adjacent to the Boss Ice Arena. The event includes a luncheon followed by the teams awards ceremony and end of season highlight video. Tickets are just $10.00 per person. Donations to support the banquet by those who can't attend are always welcome. To RSVP please email Assistant Coach Mitch Stone at stone@mail.uri.edu to reserve your place.

Take care and I hope to see you next weekend,
Coach O'C

March 26, 2010

Dear Alums & Friends,

Greetings from Kingston! Spring is almost finished with the players are off until the 29th. A little time off from our winter training that began after the holiday break. It is well deserved for the work they did! The off-season is a great time for the guy’s to work on weaknesses and develop their strengths in preparation for the spring as well as next season. Our schedule utilized our NCAA maximum 8 hours with the team (2 hours of which a ball can be used) in combination of fitness, strength and technical training sessions. We were up at 6:30 am each morning working on the track on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays and in the gym for technical sessions on Tuesday and Thursdays. In addition we were in the weight room three days per week, played pick up on their own a couple of days as well as help us with our weekly Rams FC Youth Soccer Academy.

Next week after spring break we start training outside and play five scrimmage dates on the weekends to complete the non-traditional season. Here is the 2010 Spring Non-traditional season schedule:

April 3
@University of Southern New Hampshire (Manchester, NH)
4:00 pm

April 10
@UMass Spring Invitational (Amherst, MA)
vs Syracuse University - 11:00 am
vs University of Massachusetts - 2:30 pm

April 17
SIENA COLLEGE (Kingston, RI)

April 24
@College of the Holy Cross Invite (Worcester, MA)
vs Holy Cross - 10:00 am
vs University of Vermont - Noon

April 25
ALUMNI GAME (Kingston, RI)
Noon

April 28
BRYANT UNIVERSITY (Kingston, RI)
7:00 pm

As you can see it is a competitive schedule and an exciting time for our players as they prepare to pursue their goal of an Atlantic 10 Conference Championship and NCAA Tournament bid.

On the academic side of things we had over 100 student-athletes honored during half-time of the St. Bonaventure versus URI men’s basketball game for earning a place on the Deans List for the spring or fall of 2009. URI men’s soccer was represented well by senior Gary Crooks (Falkirk, Scotland), Juniors Matt Preyss (Chagrin Falls, OH), Michael Tanke (Niles, MI) and Dwayne Williams (Westmoreland, Jamaica) as well as sophomore Eric Hutson (St. Louis, MO). Prior to the game URI President David Dooley addressed the group at a reception held in the Alumni room of the Ryan Center. It was a nice event and I was very proud of our guy’s for setting such a good example for the rest of the squad.

On the alumni front we have a lot to report beginning with Adam Howarth ’08 who joined us this winter for a couple of training session prior to participating in some professional trials in England. He played last season with AC Kajani in Finland but decided not to return. While he was here, we also got him to confirm the rumor that he is engaged. Ross Smith ‘03, who has recovered fully from surgery to correct a congenital heart defect that delayed his signing with Major League Soccer a year ago. He has worked himself back and has now found a home with the Portland Timbers. The Timbers are scheduled to be the next MLS expansion team. Speaking of MLS, Houston Dynamo All-Star Geoff Cameron ’08 received an invite into the United States National Team training camp in January and earned his first cap for US National Team in a World Cup friendly versus Guatemala at the beginning of the month. In other news former URI Assistant Coach Pat Laughlin was recently named the head coach at interstate rival Brown University. Pat was with us in 2006 but left to become the Head Men’s Coach at our alma mater University of Maine until they abruptly cut the program in the spring of 2009. He takes over from former coach Mike Noonan who left this winter for Clemson University. On the home front URI Director of Soccer Operations Frank Bergren will be retiring from teaching this spring after over 20 years in the Westerly School system. Bergs assured us that he’ll continue working with our program and we are happy to hear it because he has been an invaluable part of our staff.

Alumni, parents and Friends of URI Soccer, you are cordially invited to attend our 2009-2010 Team Banquet on Saturday May 1st at 12 Noon at the Institute for International Sport. The luncheon will be the final event of the academic year and a chance for us to honor players from the 2009 squad with our teams awards including the third annual Ed Bradley Alumni Service Award, recognition of the class of 2009 as well as the first screening of the highlight video which is always fun. Tickets are $10.00 per person and can be purchased by contacting Assistant Coach Mitch Stone at stone@mail.uri.edu. Donations for the banquet from those who cannot attend will be gladly accepted.

FORMER URI RAMS don’t forget the Alumni game Sunday April 25 at 12 Noon here at the URI Soccer Complex. The game as always pits our present players versus the veterans followed by a BBQ for players, family and supporters sponsored by the “Friends of Men’s Soccer”. I will send you another reminder in the next couple of weeks but until then pass the word and drop us a line back to let me know you will be attending. Please include any the names of family, friends or guests will be coming with you so we make sure we order enough food for everyone.

Before I sign off a reminder to alums to make sure you go to www.frontrush.com/URI in order to update your alumni profile on our new on-line database through a company called Frontrush. We are using it for recruiting as well as to keeping in contact with you our alums and the other “Friends of URI Soccer”. So, please help us to keep in touch with you and your friends, classmates and teammates.

Well, that is about it for now. Hope to see you all down the road in the very near future. Look out for more news down the road including our 2010 schedule as well as the URI class of 2010.

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C