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