September 13, 2009

Dear Alumni & Friends,

We've just returned from the Nike/Hypertherm Classic hosted by Dartmouth College, coming away with a 1-1 record and second place finish. We defeated previously undefeated Iona College 2-0 on Friday night before falling to the host 2-0 this afternoon. Over the stretch of the weekend I was pleased with the teams play as I fell we are starting to come together and getting a hold of our strengths and weaknesses. We were also happy to get back captain Kevin Shaw (Denny, Scotland) and Michael Tanke (Niles, MI) from injuries. Although we unfortunately got limited time from Andres Ruiz (Providence, RI) who is battling injury himself, the players around him picked up the slack.

In our first match we met Iona College (NY) who came into the weekend 3-0 and ranked in the top five in their region. They are a technically talented team who have a certain amount of "trickery" to them so we had to be careful coming out. The first half we were not our best but grinded it out through the 45 minutes and even getting a goal from freshmen Jamie Eckmayer (Harrington Park, NJ) on a wonderful assist from Michael Tanke. The score stayed that way until senior midfielder Gary Crooks (Falkirk, Scotland) shot from the left side of the box and junior forward Jonathan Pereira (Barrington, RI) redirected for an insurance tally and the first goal of his career. The team collected its‚ second shutout of the season and we were off to a good start in Hanover.

After a day off and some much needed rest, we returned to action on Sunday versus the host Big Green who had drew with the University of Connecticut 0-0 the day before. The Dartmouth match was certainly a good test as the home team was ranked as high as 6th in some of the national polls so we knew we would have our hands full. The game began with a flurry and our boy‚s got on the offensive and threatened the Dartmouth defense several times. Dwayne Williams (Westmoreland, Jamaica), the Nike/Hypertherm Classic Defensive Player of the Tournament, had a great match containing the Big Greens reigning Ivy Rookie of the Year in the air and along the ground. In a flurry of legs and feet a foul was called against the Rams on top of the box and Dartmouth's New Zealand International Daniel Keats scored on the ensuing free kick to make it 1-0 which carried into the half-time interval.

The second half was an extension of the first as our boys put together some good attacks which unfortunately stalled a bit in the final 18 yards. The Big Green were not to be outdone as they put together their own offensive surges, one ending in a semi breakaway that Chris Pennock (Spennymoor, England) made a fantastic stop on. But late in the match after a near penalty shot was called the second we didn't get so lucky and the referee pointed to the spot. Keats again stepped up and buried the 12 yarder to give Dartmouth the security they needed for the win.

All and all there were a lot of good things we could take from the weekend even in defeat. We got a few of the boys back and playing as well as encouraging and consistent performances out of defenders Franco LoPresti (Scarborough, Ontario) and Matt Preyss (Chagrin Falls, OH). I'm confident that when we get to full strength prior to the A-10 season beginning we will be ready and productive.

Its a short rest and then the University of Hartford Hawks come to town for our first game at home since the students returned for the fall semester. They have started off well on the season so it should be another great match at the URI soccer complex. Kick-off is 7:00 pm. We hope to see you there!

GO RAMS!
Coach OC

September 3, 2009

Dear Alumni & Friends,

We’re off and running and what an exciting game it was the other night in the home opener against defending ACC Tournament Champion Boston College. It was a beautiful night and we got a great crowd considering that classes don't begin until September 9th. There was a little dew on the ground that made for a fast game for both teams.

The game started at a furious pace with both teams playing with the energy of the first game of the season. BC nearly got on the board just about 2 minutes into game as an Eagles forward side volleyed a ball that just missed the outside of the right post. The guy’s persevered and created a few opportunities of their own from Reece Markman (Dallas, TX), John Pereira (Barrington, RI) and Andres Ruiz (Providence, RI). BC threatened again when a hard shot hit the post but luckily didn’t tickle the net. Half-time came with the game tied 0-0.

The second stanza began and it looked like we had got the lead on a Franco LoPresti (Whitby, Ontario) cross which bounded off the BC keeper and into the goal but was waved off for a foul. It didn’t take long after that for the Rams to get the actually lead. After a BC foul on the right side of the box, senior midfielder Gary Crooks (Falkirk, Scotland) bent a beautiful free kick over the Eagle wall and into the top left hand corner for his first goal of the season. The tally sent electricity in the air and the next 10 minutes the guy’s were buzzing. But, BC was too good a team to lie down and accept defeat but instead mounted a fierce attack that put our guy’s on their heels for a bit in the last 20 minutes. Senior goalkeeper and captain Chris Pennock (Spennymoor, England) had to come up with a couple of very good saves including a “blast” from BC’ Jeremiah Gallington from 35 yards out that he tipped over the bar and a second on a skipping and dipping shot that he just smothered. When the final whistle blew Rhody had earned a hard fought win over a quality opponent.

Next up on the schedule is old friend and alumnus Gareth Elliott and his Siena College squad on Sunday September 6th in Loudonville, NY. The Saints are coming off their own 1-0 victory over the University of Vermont in Burlington. It should be another great match as I know “G” and assistant and fellow alumnus Ahmad Manning will have their squad well prepared.

It will be a busy couple of weeks with the Siena match, classes starting on September 9th and then our trip up to my old stomping grounds Dartmouth College for their Nike/Hypertherm Classic where we play Iona and the hosts. It will be the first time back for me in a long time and in particular to play on Burnham Field, a brand new soccer only complex named for former Dartmouth coach, administrator and good friend Whitey Burnham who passed away last spring. Whitey was a kind and bright face for me when I went to the NSCAA Convention where he was one of the “red apron gang”. He was also a tremendous gentleman and mentor to young coaches because his handling of people transcended the decades since he last coached. It will be an honor to play on that field.

The next home game is Wednesday September 16th at 7:00 pm against the University of Hartford followed by our 2nd Annual Grassroot Soccer fund-raiser on Saturday September 19th versus interstate rival Brown University. Kick off is 7:00 pm. Last year at Brown we made a donation of $1,000 to this global Aids and HIV prevention and education organization. Admission is FREE although we are asking for a minimum $1 donation that will go directly to benefit Grassroot Soccer. Hope to see you there…

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

August 31, 2009

Dear Alumni & Friends,

Tomorrow it all begins with the beginning of the 2009 season. The boys have been working hard through preseason and now are ready for the challenges of the fall campaign. Over the past couple of weeks they have been coming together in training and testing the waters during our scrimmages.

The first “exam” came against interstate rival Providence that ended in a 1-1 draw. Junior forward Greg Balicki (Wilbraham, MA) threatened first when he found a seam between the Friars defense and side footed a ball that unfortunately hit the post and caromed out. He was rewarded for his efforts minutes later scoring on a header off a flick on from a throw-in from classmate Michael Tanke (Niles, MI) to Andres Ruiz (Providence, RI). The squad continued carrying the momentum but fell asleep for one moment to see PC equalize on a short corner service that deflected off one of our defenders. It was a hard fought match, as all PC/URI games are but ended a draw.

In the second "exam" of the preseason, the Holy Cross Crusaders came to the URI soccer complex in a match moved a day earlier due to the predicted path of Hurricane Danny. In retrospect, the move was a good one as it allowed us an extra day of rest prior to the first game of the season. Anyway, again your Rams scored first on a class goal from Ruiz. After a hard cross from senior midfielder Gary Crooks (Falkirk, Scotland) that went through to the opposite side of the penalty box, Ruiz collected the ball, got inside two HC defenders and curled the ball into the far post for the goal. It was a tremendous finish. Unfortunately Holy Cross equalized after an angled shot skipped on the wet ground and under goalkeeper Chris Pennock (Spennymoor, England). The visitors scored again to take the lead and it finished 2-1. In the long run both games were very constructive and we learned a lot about where individual players are and what direction we need to go as a team.

By the way I recently got a nice note of good luck from Michael Bradley ‘97 who at present is in Washington State at Army Combat skills training. Michael is there as part of his commitment he made to the United States Navy while attending medical school at Dartmouth College. After his training he will be in Afghanistan by early to mid September but home by Easter 2010. Hope you will join us in keeping Michael and his family, who are here in RI, in your thoughts as he serves our nation abroad.

A couple other things to report from our alums… special thanks to Andres Perdomo ‘09, Kevin Kennedy ‘03 and Paul Fanning ‘01 who came by training to lend a hand during an intra-squad game when we had a few guy’s out with some bumps and bruises.

Also heard from Danleigh Borman ’08 who is in the midst of his second season with Major League Soccer’s Red Bull New York. Unfortunately Red Bull have been struggling as of late and coach Juan Carlos Osorio resigned recently. Danleigh told me that the team is trying to get refocused and even as I write are on the verge of their second straight win after losing seven in a row.

Spoke with Geoff Cameron ’08 last night as he was returning from Panama where he played a CONCACAF Champions League game versus Arabe Unido (they drew 1-1). His Houston Dynamo dropped a game to the Rapids today but they are at the top of the table and looking good for another berth in the MLS Cup.

Finally, Dawid Badecki ’08 who is back in Poland e-mailed me to say he was planning on coming to the U.S. and Kingston for the Atlantic 10 Championships in November. He’s hoping that his former teammates and other former Rams return to the site of their previous glory days to support the squad in their quest for another A-10 title. We hope so too!

Speaking of alums, Homecoming 2009 is just around the corner October 16-18. It will be a great weekend with two Atlantic 10 matches starting with Friday versus St. Joe’s at 7:00 pm and a Sunday match-up with Temple at 1:00 pm. On Saturday we have an Alumni vs. Alumni game followed by URI Soccer Alumni tailgate and the football game at 12 Noon versus Hofstra. You may have heard new URI President David Dooley established a new “Tailgate Policy” for football games that I know many alums have expressed is a long time coming. It will give our returning veteran players a nice place to get together to visit prior to the game.

Remember you can keep up to date with all the happenings of URI men’s soccer by checking out www.gorhody.com. Our Sports Communications office, specifically Jodi Pontbriand, does a great job with our page. We will be having some games streamed live during the season and all will be available on Gametracker, which can be accessed through our website.

We have a great schedule with one of the highlights being our Second Annual Grassroot Soccer fund-raiser during the match with Brown University on September 19th at 7:00 pm. Grassroot Soccer is an international AIDS awareness and education organization that reaches youth in Africa through soccer clinics. It is a cause which I have become personally attached to as two of its’ founders Dr. Tommy Clark and Methembe Ndlovu are guy’s who played for me when I was an Assistant Coach at Dartmouth College. Last year at Brown URI passes along a check for $1,000 to GRS and this season all gate proceeds from the game will be donated. The match is FREE to attend but we are asking for a donation for a minimum donation of $1.00 for Grassroot Soccer. In you need more information or cannot be there and want to make a donation yourself go to www.grassrootsoccer.org.

Well, as I said tomorrow it all starts and we are excited to get going. We hope we see many of you tomorrow night at 7:00 pm when we face the Eagles of Boston College!

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

August 18, 2009

Friends,

Hope you are all doing well and enjoying the dog days of summer. After a July where the temperature never reached 90 degrees we have moved into the heat and humidity just in time for pre-season training to begin. The players have begun to come in today with the rest arriving in the morning and then it is off to the races.

Before I go on just a quick note to say thanks to all our alums who attended the 13th Annual URI Men's Soccer Golf Outing on August 10th at Fenner Hill Country Club in Hope Valley, RI. It was a beautiful day as opposed to the Monsoon we had last year that cancelled the tourney. We had a great group of people along and it seems everyone enjoyed themselves. I surely did getting my money's worth (and swings in). To no surprise TEAM KENNEDY (fincluding Kevin Kennedy '03) took home top honors in this best ball scramble for I believe their 3rd championship in 4 years. Many thanks to our corporate sponsors Rams Football Club, The Tanke Family (Michael Tanke '11), Wadsworth Publishing (Valerie Tanke) and Joint Ventures Physical Therapy (Dan Brownridge '01). Of course we would be no where without our tee sponsors Charlie O’s Tavern, Lebron James & Shaquille O’Neal (The Pryess Family & Matt Preyss '11), Kingston Pizza, Herf Jones, The United Way, Rhode Island Elite Soccer Academies, URI Women’s Rowing Team (Associate Head Coach Jessica Lizzi), URI Men’s Golf (Coach Tom Drennan), Russell Blank ’77, Goal-4-Rams 6 v 6 Soccer (Ed & Brian Bradley '92) and our friends at University Spirit in the Kingston Emporium. Thanks for all your support of the tournament and program.

Anyway, I just returned from a short vacation with the family in Iowa and Minnesota where Sheila, the kids and I visited her folks in Iowa and sister in Minnesota. It was a short stay but good one since I feel like things have been buzzing and the summer just got away from me. Between our very successful camps those I worked at Notre Dame and Georgetown as well as recruiting it was a whirlwind. I'm sure it really came down to the excitement and anticipation of pre-season and the fall campaign. Time does fly when you are anxious to get at something...

We are so looking forward to what lies ahead and it all begins with the home opener versus DEFENDING ACC TOURNAMENT CHAMPION BOSTON COLLEGE on Tuesday September 1st at 7:00 pm here at the URI Soccer Complex. It is not one to be missed! You can check out the rest of the schedule at www.gorhody.com but the season highlights include our A-10 play which begins on October 3rd and includes our usual interstate Darby with Brown University on Saturday September 19th at 7:00 pm which is also our Grassroot Soccer Fundraiser game. Last year we raised over $1,000 ourselves for this aids education through soccer organization and hope to raise even more in 2009 with the help of the Brown Bears. We've made this an annual event between the two schools and you can get more information and find out how you can help by going to www.grassrootsoccer.org.

One of the biggest highlights of the fall will be HOMECOMING WEEKEND which is October 16th-18th. The weekend kicks off with an Atlantic-10 match versus St. Joseph's at 7:00 pm followed by a pep rally in Keaney Gym and fireworks. Saturday we have an Alumni vs Alumni game at 10:00 am, a luncheon at 11:00 am and football against Hofstra University at Noon. The weekend is complete with the back end of our A-10 doubleheader versus Temple University at 1:00 pm. We will send you more information and a registration form in the coming weeks but MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW and join us in Kingston!

Finally, keep an eye on the our web page on the URI athletic website (www.gorhody.com) for your chance to procure a URI "Vintage" game jerseys. Alums and friends will have the chance to get their hands on jerseys filled with memories and worn by some of Rhody's best back when the team wore Kappa, Nike and Diadora game kits. We'll be posting photo's of the memorabilia soon and give you your chance to pull on the URI colors again.

Well, tomorrow cannot come any sooner. Keep us up to date with what is going on in your neck of the woods and make sure you follow the team through the 2009 season. All the best...

July 18, 2009

Dear Alums & Friends of URI Soccer,

Hope you are all enjoying the summer months. We’ve been having some beautiful weather in Rhode Island as of late and look forward to more down the road. Campus has been bustling with activity including the annual South County Balloon Festival this weekend. We have our overnight camp coming up July 26-29 and then pre-season will be here before we know it. Where did the summer go?

It has been a busy July for me with our very successful day camp, the 4th of July holiday followed by a week at Notre Dame Soccer working their camp. Over this time we also had some great news as my Assistant Rob Czlonka and his wife Lisa welcomed their first child Gabriel (8 lbs., 8 oz, 21 inches) into the Rhody family. It was very exciting news and mom, dad and Gabe are doing well abet getting a little less sleep these days…for mom & dad that is!

Have had some great alumni news over the past couple of weeks, the latest being that former Ram Geoff Cameron (Attleboro, MA) was named as a starter as a central defender in the MLS All-Star Game on July 29 versus English Premier League club Everton. Geoff is having another great year for the Houston Dynamo after finishing 3rd in the voting for Rookie of the year in 2008. We have also heard from Mike Hoffer ‘61 who was pleased about the news of Andy Williams wife Marcia finding a bone marrow donor. Mike and his wife have been passionately involved in raising money for cancer through their marathon training.

On the playing side Peter Dos Santos ’94 wrote to tell us his over 30 men’s team qualified again National Final Four for the second consecutive year. Steve Demoura ‘01 is also on the team (just turned 30 this year) and they are off to Sanford, Florida in late July where they will play a team from North Texas in the opening round. Prior to heading to FL they had to beat some good teams including one from NY, which had former MLS players Richie Williams (DC United) and Mark Semoli (MetroStars) on it.

Present URI player Michael Tanke ’11 (Niles, MI) is also chasing his own national championship as he is off to Lancaster, MA to vie for the coveted McGuire Cup (U19 Championships) at the USYSA Tournament of Champions. His Indy Burn Eagles won their first Midwest Regional Soccer Championship beginning July 21st after being a bridesmaid several times over the past few years. We are certainly going to get up to watch him play and you can see Michael in action at http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org/regionII/. Michael hopes to add to the list of former Youth National Champions who play for the Rams as rising sophomore Reece Markman (Dallas, TX) won a U17 and U18 title with his Andromeda SC and incoming freshmen Matt Ribbens (Tinley Park, IL) and Robby Gargaro (Naperville, IL) also raised their own cups with their Chicago Magic U16 squad.

Finally, a reminder that the 2009 URI Men’s Soccer Golf Outing is just around the corner on Monday August 10th at Fenner Hill Golf Club in Hope Valley, RI. The cost is $125 per player with opportunities to sponsor a hole/tee ($100), a foursome ($500) or as a corporate sponsor ($500). Registration for the beat ball foursome includes 18 holes, cart, post round meal and golf favors. There will be a raffle and silent auction for an autographed Geoff Cameron Houston Dynamo jersey among other prizes. For more information or to sign-up as an individual or register a group contact Assistant Coach Mitch Stone at (401) 874-2560 or at stone@mail.uri.edu.

ALL THE BEST & GO RAMS!
Coach O'C

June 18, 2009

The semester is over and summer is just about here in Rhode Island. We have been off recruiting and getting things ready for the fall. Our day camp is just around the corner and my assistant Rob Czlonka's wife is just about to give birth to their first child. So, it never stops. But, we have had some tremendous news over the past couple of weeks, none more important then that A BONE MARROW DONOR MATCH HAS BEEN FOUND FOR URI ALUM AND REAL SALT LAKE MIDFIELDER ANDY WILLIAMS WIFE MARCIA!

See the story HERE.

This is GREAT news as many of you know Marcia has been battling Leukemia which she was diagnosed with over a year ago. We found this out when my assistant Mitch Stone contacted Soccer Unites Utah concerning a $500 donation our players made through a juggle-a-thon fund-raiser this past spring. Soccer Unites Utah has been in the forefront helping Andy and Marcia raise money for her treatments. We are so happy for their whole family and our thoughts and prayers continue to stay with them.

In other news from the alumni front, Houston Dynamo Central Defender Geoff Cameron... yes I said central defender... has been quite the story of late being named to consecutive MLS Teams of the Week for his stellar play.

We've seen a lot of Geoff on television and he has been doing so well that ESPN commentator and former MLS/US National Team Captain John Harkes has been promoting him as a MLS All-Star candidate. It would be great to see him on that stage!

Our other MLS guy Danleigh Borman '08 has also been on the tube a lot, starting for Red Bull New York at either left back or left mid-field. Although NY has struggled a bit of late, Danleigh has been applauded for his defending and intelligent play. I was proud of the fact that he takes so much pride in his defending during a time when some of his peers in the league do not... in my opinion anyway.

Got an e-mail from Lukasz Tumicz '08 in Poland who is recovering from surgery and hopes to be back on the pitch for his club Jagellonia Bialstyok soon. Our most recent signee Adam Howarth '08 is still in Finland with AC Kajaani but we haven't heard much from the "Big Goat".

Got a nice e-mail the other day from Callum Bissett '08 who is back at home working for FirstPoint USA, which is a college recruiting service which he went through to come to URI. He is keeping an eye out for us and is enjoying his job but misses Rhode Island.

On the further update front "Big Ginger" Ross Smith '03 went through successful heart surgery a bit ago and is working his way back to health. Ross was playing with the USL's Rochester Rhinos and set up to sign with the Colorado Rapids of MLS when it was discovered in a routine physical that he had a faulty heart valve. Surgery has fixed that and we look forward to having him here this summer working our camp.

Speaking of making recoveries, best wishes to Dan McCrudden '78 who I heard through is brother is recovering from a little heart scare of his own this spring. Heard from brother Vince McCrudden that he is doing well and should be back on the field scoring goals like in the old days. By the way I would be remiss if I didn't recognize Vin for his recent and VERY GENEROUS donation to the program.

NEWS FLASH....SAVE THE DATE:
The weekend of October 16-18 it is HOMECOMING 2009. It will be a jam packed weekend with men's soccer games on Friday night and Sunday afternoon against St. Joe's (7:00 pm) and Temple (1:00 pm) sandwiched around an Alumni v Alumni game Saturday morning at 10:00 am and Alumni & Friend BBQ to follow. Football is home versus Hofstra so there is plenty to do for everyone. So, if you haven't been back in a few years JOIN US. More information to follow...

Finally, don't forget the University of Rhode Island Men's Soccer 13th Annual Golf Outing on Monday August 10, 2009 at Fenner Hill Golf Club in Hope Valley, RI. it is a fun event and for $125.00 per golfer you get 18 holes of golf, golf favors, a cart, and post-round meal. We also have a putting contest, longest drive, closest to the pin, a raffle later and silent auction.

If you can't be there in person you can be there in spirit as a tee/hole, corporate, foursome or tournament sponsor. You can get details in the attached brochure. We of course welcome any level of support because we realize its' because of you that we are able to do these events and others.

Well, that is about it from here. If you have any news that is fit to print let me know and I will be sure to include it in our next e-mail blast. Take care and enjoy the remainder of the spring.

GO RAMS!
Coach O'C

May 5, 2009

Exams are off and running this week and will go on for the boy's until the 13th. We had a team BBQ on Friday at the O'Connor ranch complete with some exciting games of Mario Kart on Megan and Michael's Wii as well as a rousing game of whiffle ball home run derby in the front yard. It was a nice way to finish off the spring and relax before hitting the books. After two days of "Reading Period" and the weekend the guy's are ready to get the semester finished.

Hopefully you picked up through our weekly e-mails that the spring non-traditional season ended up as a productive one. I'm having individual meetings this week with each of the players and then they will be off for the summer. It's hard to believe that another academic year is almost done. It's even harder to comprehend that another class of guy's are moving on. Kedan Crosby (St. James, Trinidad) and Kevin Hamill (Easton, CT) go through graduation ceremonies on the 17th while James Quiah (Providence, RI) and Andres Perdomo (Pawtucket, RI) will do the same next December. I'm sure you all join me in wishing them the best for their futures.

One thing I wanted to bring to everyone's attention first and foremost to keep Ross Smith '03 in your prayers as he undergoes heart corrective surgery today. Ross who has had a very successful professional career with Gravesend & Northfleet and with the Rochester Rhino's this past year, was discovered with a heart condition while undergoing a physical for Major League Soccers Colorado Rapids. The surgery is corrective but as with any dealings with the heart, there are dangers. Think positive for the Big Canadian Ginger!

I also wanted to pass along a link to a really great article by Paul Kenyon of the Providence Journal about the URI football teams recent Bone Marrow Registration Drive. It was a project which the team was glad to get involved in as it was an issue that hit close to home with the plight of Andy Williams '90 and his wife Marcia, who is looking for a bone marrow match right now. The reason I mention this is that we found out through our involvement in the registration that freshmen Erkko Puranen (Viitasaari, Finland) had Leukemia when he was 12 which is amazing considering where he is as a player today. Paul included his story in his article so take a look!

Before I sign off start getting your foursomes together for the annual URI MEN'S SOCCER ALUMNI & FRIENDS GOLF OUTING ON MONDAY AUGUST 10TH AT FENNER HILL GOLF CLUB in Hope Valley, RI. Last years event got rained out so I know people are ready to get back to RI to play. We will be sending specific information on times and such but get your foursomes together NOW.

All the best and GO RHODY!
Coach O'C