August 26, 2012

Dear Alums & Friends,

It was great to hear from all of you who emailed with best wishes for the season. The boy’s and our staff really appreciated it as it means a lot to have the support. Unfortunately a 1-0 loss to the pesky Catamounts of the Green Mountain State was not the way we wanted to start the 2012 season.

The game was the first for men’s soccer on Vermont’s new Virtue Field. The weather was mid-to-upper 80’s and the turf was even hotter (usually 10-15 degrees more on this kind of surface), causing hot spots on many of the guy’s feet. We had a nice group of supporters making the trip to Burlingston including the Eckmayer’s, Casey’s, Uttley’s, Moran’s and Bob Gargaro our weary traveler. We were unfortunately without Tim Dragon ‘13 for the weekend whose grandfather passed away this past week. Our condolences go out to the entire Dragon family who have been loyal supporters of the team.

In spite of being a man up for the entire second half, after their right back was sent off for a reckless challenge with less then a minute before the break, we played well but just couldn’t get the equalizer. The “Green Mountain Men” scored off a long thrown in the first 20 minutes. But, we responded well and for the final 20 minutes of the half we found our rhythm and got a couple good chances with the duo of Thomas Lindroos (Espoo, Finland) and Michael Casey (Wakefield, RI) running up top including a disallowed goal.

In the second stanza we were able to keep the rhythm we found at the first and controlled play. UVM sat in and looked to counter and so our job was to work to break them down. The boy’s did just that including a rip from 18yards by senior midfielder Matt Ribbens (Tinley Park, IL) that just went wide, a whirling spin volley by senior forward Lindroos that just went over the bar and great free kick by Matt Sykes (Sheffield, England) that nearly found the net. As we pressed for the tying goal UVM did get behind us a couple of times but junior red shirt goalkeeper Adam Blanchard (Scarborough, ME) snuffed out each chance. In the end we ran out of time and ended up on the short end of the result. For those who saw the game streamed off of UVM’s website, I think you saw a good display and a start of what is to come as the season gets into full swing.

Next up is the 3rd Annual Ocean State Classic and our semi-final match-up with the Brown University Bears coached by former Ram Assistant Pat Laughlin. The game is set for Friday August 31st at 7:00 pm in Providence with the consolation and finals being played at the URI Soccer Complex on Monday September 3rd at 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm respectively. The specific match-ups will be posted on GoRhody.com after the game on Friday night. We hope you will come out and support the boy’s in the home opener. Last year the game garnered over 2500 fans so we are looking to put that up over the 3000 mark this year!

Before I sign off I wanted to once again thank Trish & Terry Casey (parents of Michael Casey ’15) and Sharon Racca (mother of URI women’s player Devin Racca ’16) for hosting a joint URI men’s & women’s soccer BBQ during pre-season. It was great to have both teams there along with our soccer supporters Tony, Kim & Eric Rose, Matt Racca (brother of Devin who plays at Wentworth College), Dean of the URI Business School Mark Higgins and his wife Ann, Linda and Dennis Kamerzel, Lori, Jim, Katie and Kristina Dufficy (Michael Casey’s Aunt, Uncle and cousins) as well as Betty Tracy (aka Grandma Casey). It was quite a group and a wonderful event to break up the monotony that comes in pre-season training.

Finally, heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS go out to Aimee & Peter Dos Santos ’94 on the birth of their son, Bennett Gardiner on August 16th. Everyone is doing well and the Dos Santos’ now have a five-a-side team of their own with daughters Rylan (6 years old) and Addison (3 years old). Peter assured us in his email that Bennett “will be wearing Rhody Blue in about 17 years”…we certainly expect that!

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C