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