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