September 13, 2011

Dear Alums & Friends,

Sorry for the delay in writing but it has been a busy, busy week or so since my email following the PC game and Ocean State Soccer Classic final. Since then we have travelled to FL to play a disappointing match in the Sunshine State but returned home to win a game against one of the Ivy Leagues best.

Classes began on September 7th and so did our trek south to play a midweek game against Florida Gulf Coast University in Ft. Meyers, FL. FGCU is a fairly new program after moving up from NCAA Division II four years ago but they have quickly become one of the most competitive teams in the country. The game was played on a warm and humid night with a first half performance that was possibly best 45 minutes of the year. FGCU was out of sync as we picked off pass after pass and caused turnovers that led to a couple of good chances for us while creating none for them. At the interval they were frustrated which resulted in 2 cautions issued as the clock expired due to a bad tackle out of bounds on Michael Casey (Wakefield, RI) and subsequent shove to him by another player. The benches were emptied but the guy’s kept their composure when their opponents couldn’t.

The second half took a different turn as less than 3 minutes in senior central defender Oscar Zorrilla (Providence, RI) was sent off with a straight red for a “last man” foul which was more of a jumble of legs then a deliberate act. It put us at a disadvantage for the 3rd time this season and shortly their after FGCU scored to take the lead. A forty minute lightning delay allowed us to regroup but the Gulls were able to move the ball around with us being a man down and chasing the game. A second goal off a free kick put us deeper in a hole and by the time the final whistle blew it was all FGCU 4-0. It was a disappointing result as I don’t think the score reflected the totality of the game.

We got back to Kingston and put the memory of the FGCU game behind us to prepare to travel to Cambridge, MA and the hallowed halls of Harvard University for a Sunday afternoon kick-off. With a determined and renewed spirit the Rams rushed onto Ohiri field and posted a goal early on when freshmen forward Ross Morison (Linlithgow, Scotland) intercepted an errant Crimson GK kick, went around the surprised net minder and got his first career goal. The score remained the same through half-time as senior GK Peyton Warwick (Prairie Village, KS) made several good saves on half and full chances for Harvard.

The Crimson were able to equalize in the second stanza after a defensive miscommunication, setting up freshmen heroics from the big Scot again. After a cross by senior midfielder Reece Markman (Dallas, TX) went through the Harvard 18 yard box, freshmen Matt Sykes (Sheffield, England) re-crossed the ball on the half volley to the back post where Ross Morison was waiting to head a deftly placed ball over the diving Crimson goalkeepers head to the far post for a 2-1 lead. From there Peyton Warwick saved the game by snuffing out a Harvard free kick over our defensive wall and the road that play to victory. It was a satisfying win for all against a team that will vie for the Ivy Championship this season.

Now, its’ a week off before we welcome the Holy Cross Crusaders to the URI soccer complex on Saturday September 17th for a 7:00 pm kick-off. The momentum is building and that combined with Chariho Youth Soccer night that brought a huge crowd to Kingston last season, should make for a great atmosphere. Hope to see you all there...

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

P.S. Don’t forget that on Friday September 23rd we will be hosting ACC foe Boston College in our 4th Annual Grassroot Soccer fundraiser game. Our players will be selling Grassroot t-shirts the week before and donations will be taken at the gate here in Kingston. All proceeds will go to supporting this global education organization that uses soccer to teach the prevention of HIV/Aids in Zimbabwe, South Africa and other African countries. For more information go to www.grassrootsoccer.org.