October 31, 2011

Dear Friends & Alumni,

In any given year a split on an Atlantic 10 weekend would be a welcome result but this time it was a disappointment. Going into this doubleheader we had our A10 Tournament fate in our hands as winning our last three conference games would almost certainly guarantee us a spot in the A10 tournament especially considering some of the strange results. We finished it still with a chance but now we have to rely on other results to make our goal a reality.

On Friday night we finally had the offensive explosion we have been waiting for with a 4-1 domination of the University of Richmond. We got balanced scoring as 5 different players tallied points and goalkeeper Adam Blanchard (Scarborough, ME) filled in well for Peyton Warwick (Prairie Village, KS) who was out with a concussion. It was quite a night, and weekend, for junior midfielder Matt Ribbens (Tinley Park, IL) who led the way with 2 goals and 1 assist. He started us off an opening strike for 22 yards reminiscent of his game winner against Fordham last year off a pass from Thomas Lindroos (Espoo, Finland) in the 23rd minute. Just before the half freshmen midfielder Matt Sykes (Sheffield, England) took a Mike Casey (Wakefield, RI) pass and spanked it, hitting a Spiders defender and deflecting past the goalkeeper for a 2-0 lead.

It took only 7 minutes into the second stanza for Jamie Eckmayer (Harrington Park, NJ) to get on the scoreboard with an athletic goal off a Matt Ribbens cross. Ribby hit a bending cross that looked like it was destined for the Richmond goalkeepers hands but Jamie leapt like a Gazelle to skim it by him for the tally. Ribbens and Casey hooked up for the final goal which capped off a well deserved offensive burst. It was a great start to the weekend and our quest to sweep our last three.

Sunday, was a busy day with snow overnight initially threatening the game and the emotion of the final home game of the season. Prior to the match we honored our four seniors Franco LoPresti (Markham, Ontario), Reece Markman (Dallas, TX), Peyton Warwick and Oscar Zorrilla (Providence, RI). It was great to have their families there to share the day.

We started the game with a different look as unfortunately Franco was unable to play due to yellow card accumulation so junior Tim Dragon (Flemington, NJ) and Oscar Zorilla were called upon to fill in on the day. The first half was very, very sluggish and George Washington took advantage building a 2-0 lead. It was an extremely disappointing 45 minutes as we just did not play with the energy and enthusiasm we have been with a combination of unforced turnovers combined with some players looking out of sync. It was hard to get a grasp on exactly what was happening out there but it was not our best moments and in the end it cut us deep.

During the interval we regrouped and came out to all but dominate the next 45 minutes going against a stiff wind. In the 57th minute the man of the weekend Matt Ribbens combined with Jamie Eckmayer and Matt Sykes for a fantastic blast from the top of the box to cut the lead in half. We continued the pressure and handled GW’s counterattacking play including a big breakaway save by Peyton Warwick in the final 10 minutes that could have sealed the game then and there. We were on the verge of getting the tying goal when we just ran out of time.

So, as the standings look we still have an outside change to get in but we do not hold destiny in our own hands as we did going into the game against GW. We need to win at UMass next weekend and have some other teams in the league lose in order into the tournament via the backdoor. By kickoff next Saturday we should have a pretty good idea of where we are and if the soccer gods are kind, will steal a slot in the A10 tournament. Keep your fingers crossed and say your prayers as it would be a shame to have this team miss it.

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

Sad News...

Dear Alums & Friends,

It is with a heavy heart I write to let you know of the death of former URI player Winston Griffiths this past Saturday October 23rd in Kingston, Jamaica. At this point the details and cause of death are unknown. He was 33 years old.

Winston came to the University of Rhode Island in the fall of 1999 as part of a long line of successful Jamaican players of his time to wear Rhody Blue including Andy Williams, Nicholas McCreath, Dennis Richards, Conrad Hibbert and Anthony Curtis just to name a few.

Although Winston played only one season at URI he made his mark in 1999 scoring 9 goals and 8 assists in 19 games. That year Rhody finished the regular season 15-2-1 (10-1-1 in the Atlantic 10 Conference) while winning the Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship with identical 7-0 shutouts of UMass and Duquesne in the semi-final and final. Winston was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Tournament team along with 6 other teammates. The 1999 squad went on to win an NCAA play-in game over Mercer before bowing out to intra-state rival Brown in the NCAA first round.

Winston began his professional career with the Connecticut Wolves in the United Soccer Leagues First Division. In 2002 he was drafted by the Dallas Burn of Major League Soccer and sent to the NY/NJ Metrostars before the season began. Later that season he was traded to the LA Galaxy and then to the New England Revolution where he reached the 2002 MLS Cup. Following his stint in MLS he played for Portmore United (2003) and the Vancouver Whitecaps (2004) before returning to Jamaica to sign with Arnett Gardens of the Jamaican National Premier League (NPL). He also played professionally in the Canadian Soccer League for Toronto Supra before returning to Jamaica in 2007, signing with Sporting Central in the NPL.

On the international stage Winston made his debut for the Jamaican National Team against Guatemala and earned 28 caps from 1998-2002, scoring 2 goals for the Reggae Boyz.

The entire URI soccer family is saddened by this news and I know you join me in sending our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and former teammates.

God Bless you Winston,
Coach O’C

October 24, 2011

Back-to-back away weekends in the league can be tough but they can also be an opportunity to earn some points back in the race to the Atlantic 10 Tournament. They can also be very cruel as we found out this weekend in our A-10 split.

The front of this trip was away at St. Bonaventure in Olean, NY. The game, originally scheduled as an afternoon tilt was moved to 7 pm on a turf field at a high school in Bradford, PA, about 20 minutes from St. Bonnie’s campus. The game started off with a bang as just 38 seconds in junior forward Jamie Eckmayer (Harrington Park, NJ) laid a first time ball out to classmate/roommate Matt Ribbens (Tinley Park, IL) who whipped in a low cross in penalty spot high where Matt Sykes (Sheffield, England) one timed it in for the fastest goal recorded since my time at URI. The early goal was great but there was a long time to go. The teams traded play with thing getting fairly direct. We seemed to be getting the best chances but the hosts were able to equalize with 7 minutes before the half.

In the second half we made some adjustments and again came out of the gates fast. Just under 10 minutes in we saw a near duplication of our first goal but this time it was Eckmayer to midfielder Joey Haught (Brecksville, OH) who played Matt Ribbens wide and through on the right. Matt again hit a driven ball to Sykes who ran on and re-directed a rocket off the far post and back across to the opposite side netting for his second goal of the game. As the game trickled down we got hold of the ball more and more to seal the victory.

Sunday couldn’t come sooner as the buy’s were anxious to get back on the field to try and sweep the weekend. A game that started out as an evening matched affair turned into a rout for the hosts…their second of the weekend as they had beat UMass 4-1 on Friday night.

The game started off as any competitive A10 game does. We created a couple of very good chances including a redirect from Jamie Eckmayer and a volley that just went over the bar from Michael Casey (Wakefield, RI). Duquense tallied first and held a 1-0 advantage going into half time. Their lead quickly turned to a 1-1 tie when Reece Markman (Dallas, TX) scored his 2nd goal of the season off an assist from Joey Haught. It looked as though we were on our way and building momentum when then the wheels began to fall off the cart beginning with senior goalkeeper Peyton Warwick (Prairie Village, KS) suffering a concussion after a scramble in the 18 yard box. He was ably replaced by back-up Adam Blanchard (Scarborough, ME) who, to be fair, didn’t have to make a save by the end of the game. But he was the victim of the Dukes onslaught as scored the eventual game winner on a re-directed corner as well as three others in the last five minutes that included a PK.

The most disappointing part was not in the loss but that in the final minutes and for numerous reasons the play did not reflect what URI soccer is to our alums, families and friends. Win, lose or draw we have an expectation that we must live up to and it became a lesson learned for our young team.

Next weekend we return home for the final doubleheader weekend and a big task at hand. To get a chance at an Atlantic 10 Tournament berth we need to win out. I am confident we can do it but this week will be a time to refocus our energy and commitment to our goal of getting to St. Louis. It will be an exciting weekend with Friday’s game versus Richmond followed by our Sunday tilt against George Washington on Senior Day. That afternoon we will honor our four seniors Franco LoPresti (Markham, Ontario), Reece Markman, Oscar Zorrilla (Providence, RI) and Peyton Warwick in pre-game ceremonies. It could be a wild ride and hope that you will join us.

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

October 10, 2011

Dear Alums & Friends,

It was a great weekend here in Kingston as we opened the Atlantic 10 Conference campaign. It was going to be such a challenging weekend with the #1 and #2 A10 pre-season favorites coming to town. The boy’s have been chomping at the bit to get going again since our last regular season game on September 25th. The weekend marked the beginning of the second half of the season, a fresh start and even the unveiling of our new home and away kits. What a perfect way to kick off our quest to the A10 Championships.

Friday night was a perfect night to play as the Billikins from St. Louis University came to the URI soccer complex. Kick off was delayed about 30 minutes due to the assistant referees getting caught in Columbus Day weekend traffic coming through Boston. But, the guy’s were patient and ready to go when the opening whistle blew.

With the dew on the grass and the excitement of the first A10 game there was a lot of energy in the air. We used that to our advantage outshooting SLU 10-2 and 3-1 in corners in the first half. After the interval the guy’s kept possession and that discipline paid off with a beautiful combination from a trio of first year players that led to what proved to be the game winner. After a good entry pass into forward Ross Morison (Linlithgow, Scotland) from classmate defender Alan Hernandez (Pearland, TX), Morison laid the ball off to Matt Sykes (Sheffield, England) who ripped a shot destined for the right bottom corner. The SLU goalkeeper dove to his left and deflected it out but senior midfielder Reece “Johnny on the Spot” Markman (Dallas, TX) got to the rebound, slid a ball under the defenseless goalkeeper and off the post and in. From there on we controlled the tempo of the game, keeping the ball moving and earning the shutout. It was a dominating a performance by a URI squad over SLU since I’ve been at URI.

On Sunday, UNC-Charlotte came down from Amherst with a #13 national ranking and a 2-1 OT win over U. Mass on Friday. We new this would be a battle especially considering the history and the game coming on the back end of the weekend doubleheader.

The game match off a bit off for our side as we couldn’t really put together sustained play. On the other end Charlotte was confident as expected and in the 17th minute took a 1-0 lead. The game had become a competition of wills and at half-time we needed to make some tactical adjustments to get us going in the right direction.

The boy’s took what we said to heart and soon you could see a shift in play. In the 56th minute the tactics, discipline and perseverance paid off as junior reserve midfielder Andrew Tetzlaff (Livingston, NJ) sliced in from the right side, played a ball into Ross Morison who deflected the ball back to freshmen forward Michael Casey (Wakefield, RI) who one timed a shot for the equalizer and first career goal in Keaney blue.

Down the stretch is was a downright war in the box as it got very physical on corners and free kicks. Senior tri-captain and goalkeeper Peyton Warwick (Prairie Village, KS) stayed strong while making several good stops to keep the game level. It looked like junior forward Jamie Eckmayer (Harrison Park, NJ) had the winner on an angled breakaway from the right side but his shot to the left went just wide. The overtime had the same feel as regulation and to be fair, either team could have won it but it ended in a draw.

It was a great way to start the A10 season especially with the key minutes and contributions on Sunday we got from Tetzlaff, Mark Lubetkin (Livingston, NJ) and Thomas Lindroos (Espoo, Finland), who was coming back into the team after a bout with pneumonia. This week we should have everyone back into training finally with Oscar Zorrilla (Providence, RI), Austin Dias (Greenville, RI), Tim Dragon (Flemington, NJ) and Jon Cloutier (Honolulu, HI) all back from injury.

Next weekend we take to the road for the first of back to back away A10 doubleheaders. We’ll be in Philly on Friday to face defending regular season A10 Champions LaSalle and then up to Fordham on Sunday for a matinee match-up. Keep your eyes on www.gorhody.com to follow us on gametracker as well as the results and details.

GO RHODY!
Coach O’C

October 2, 2011

Dear Alumni & Friends,

It’s a beautiful day here in Rhode Island today and the first real day off for us all in a while. Yesterday we hosted an international friendly with the Winstars Soccer Academy from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This is the same club that co-captain Franco LoPresti (Markham, Ontario) played for in high school as did former Ram and All-American Jeff Gonsalves. I’ve actually known their coach Bobby Graham since my days at Dartmouth College where one his players Danny Sankar (who now does SAT prep classes for the WSA) was a standout for the Big Green. Initially this was going to be a completely open weekend as we couldn’t find a team to fill in these date after the NCAA voted in April to extend the soccer season by a week. Luckily the Winstars agreed to come down to give us a game (and UMass today) in preparation for the beginning of the Atlantic 10 season next weekend.

Yesterday was bit different then today as it rained off and on the whole morning. We kicked off at 11 am and were set to play three 30 minute periods. The squad was a bit depleted with some injuries, sickness as well as keeping some guy’s out who needed some time off to heal some nicks they had.

We started off slow as a team and at the end of the first 30 it was 1-0 Rams with a Jamie Eckmayer (Harrington Park, NJ) goal on a Mark Lubetkin (Livingston, NJ) assist. The squad re-grouped at the interval and from their it was all Rhody with the final score being 8-0. The scoring was led by freshmen Michael Casey’s (Wakefield, RI) 3 goals and 1 assist performance followed by 2 goals and 1 assist from Ross Morison (Linlithgow, Scotland), 2 goals from Eckmayer and a single tally from Joe Haught (Brecksville, OH). Lubetkin picked up 3 assists on the day and sophomore defender Parker Kuklinski (Portsmouth, RI) an assist himself. In the goal Adam Blanchard (Scarborough, ME) and Thomas Spenser (Hastings on Hudson, NY) split the game and earned the shared shutout. One of the highlights of the day was seeing Ryan Apt (Doylestown, PA) return to playing after his PCL surgery last February and picking up an assist too. Here is the line up with substitutions:

URI RAMS STARTING LINE-UP: Blanchard (Spenser), LoPresti, Hernandez, Austin (Kuklinski), Lubetkin, Casey (Austin), Markman (Moran), Moran (Apt), Haught (Lubetkin), Morison (Casey), Eckmayer.

Tomorrow we get back at it in preparation for the opening doubleheader weekend of the 2011 A10 season when we host Saint Louis on Friday night at 7:00 pm and Charlotte on Sunday at 1:00 pm. On Friday, the game is being shown via tape delay on Cox Sports Television. As always both matches with be highly competitive and important results to start the conference season. Hope to see you all there...

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C