October 16, 2012

Dear Alumni & Friends,


I apologize for not getting to you sooner but it was a busy Monday after the first Atlantic 10 doubleheader weekend of the season. It was also URI Family weekend so we had a great crowd of family and friends on hand for both games. Unfortunately it didn’t turn out as we wanted with a 0-0 draw to league leader Temple on Friday and a overtime loss to St. Joe’s on Sunday but we are still in the thick of things going into our first away doubleheader weekend of the year at George Washington and Charlotte.

It was a cold night on Friday but we came out on fire in the opening half of the first period. Temple got their legs under them and deserved a goal for their efforts but goalkeeper Thomas Spenser (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY) thwarted their best attempt of the night. We went into half-time with no goals on the scoreboard.

The second half started out a bit slow but in the final 25 minutes and into overtime the game was really ours to win. We kept control of the ball and got forward creating chances for Matt Ribbens (Tinley Park, IL) as well as Mike Casey (Wakefield, RI) and Matt Sykes (Sheffield, England) but got no joy in the end.

In the overtime we clearly dominated with 5 to 1 in corners and 8 to 2 in shots but just couldn’t get the game winner. Gaining a point was valuable but a win would have been nice if we had know the outcome of Sunday.

Sunday we came out again well scoring the first goal on a blast from Matt Ribbens into the left side netting on a Sykes assist. It looked as though we were on our way but a scrappy goal by a scrappy St. Joe’s team tied 1-1 going into the half.

Both teams started the second half with divergent tactics, our boy’s looking to possess and work the ball forward while SJU played longer and looked to counter. Their tactics worked first as they took advantage of a counter to go ahead 2-1. We got ourselves into a further hole when Robby Gargaro (Naperville, IL) was sent off in the 68th minute for a foul forcing us to play down a man the rest of the way. The boy’s kept playing and were determined to bring the game even. And we did just that when sophomore forward Ross Morison (Linlithgow, Scotland) hammered a ball into the top left corner from 22 yards out. We kept fighting but luck just didn’t look to be on our side on the day as Jamie Eckmayer (Harrington Park, NJ), Matt Ribbens and Matt Skykes all hit the post on what would have been the equalizer or go ahead goal. A short time into the 1st OT the Hawks scored another determined yet scrappy goal for the game winner.

I would be lying to say we weren’t all disappointed but we are still in the thick of things going into this away weekend. We have fate in our own hands and have the ability to be able to carry it through. I am confident the boy’s know what is at stake and will come through. BTW, thanks to all our parents for the fantastic post game tailgate which helped at least a little to distract us from the disappointment of the afternoon.

Alums and friends don’t forget HOMECOMING WEEKEND OCTOBER 26-28 with games versus Duquesne and St. Bonaventure as well as an alumni v. alumni game on Saturday morning. Sunday is also our Senior Day so it is a weekend full of excitement. Please let us know if you will be coming.

Take care and GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

October 8, 2012

Dear Alums & Friends,


We got the conference schedule off to a great start with a convincing 3-1 win over New England rival the University of Massachusetts here at the URI Soccer Complex. It was the first time being home since playing UNH and only 3rd game on our pitch since the beginning of the season so the guys were excited to be on campus.

After a beautiful afternoon in Kingston the clouds rolled in and the skies opened up with an intense rain shower. It suited us well as we continued the storm at the kick-off, soaking the Minutemen with pressure and creating several good chances in the opening 20 minutes. We broke through in the 36th minute after Ross Morison (Linlithgow, Scotland) took a shot from 18 yards that the UMass GK was unable to hold. Sophomore Michael Casey (Wakefield, RI) scampered in and rebounded the ball for his team leading 5th goal of the season.

After the interval we came out buzzing again with some crisp passing and combination play which had us slicing through the Minutemen defense. In the 71st minute we gave ourselves a cushion on what will be a candidate for our goal of the year.

After an entry pass to Joey Haught (Brecksville, OH) 25 yards out, Alan Hernandez (Pearland, TX) overlapped on his left and Joey lifted the ball over the UMass back line and Alan drove a ball across the box where Thomas Lindroos (Espoo, Finland) one-timed it for his second goal of 2012.

We put the game out of reach in the 81st minute on a counter where Mike Casey and Matt Sykes (Sheffield, England) combined for a nifty 1-2 on the top of the box that Syksey completed by curling it into the side netting. Only a PK on a hand ball in the final 6 seconds spoiled the clean sheet but more importantly it was a win and a great start to the Atlantic 10 season.

The evening turned out to be a wonderful one with our parents tailgating in the Ryan Center lot and Ocean State Youth Soccer on hand for our annual Grassroot Soccer Fundraiser. Even with initial rain that scared away some supporters we raised over $600 for GRS.

Next we turn our attention to our first A10 doubleheader weekend when Temple University comes to town on Friday October 12th at 7:00 pm followed by St. Joe’s on Sunday October 14th at 1:00 pm. It is family weekend here at URI so we hope to see you all here.

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

October 1, 2012

Dear Alumni & Friends,


Believe it or not we’ve reachedthe mid-point of the season, completing the non-conference portion of our schedule. So, that means that Atlantic 10 play is right around the corner. The boy’s are excited about it as the first half of the season did not play out the way we all wanted. But it has taught us some lessons and showed as the areas we need to continue to work on in order to put us in the best position in the A-10.

Saturday night we travelled to Fairfield University for a single game before taking on the A-10. We came out of the gate very well with crisp passing and excellent movement off the ball. Thomas Lindroos (Espoo, Finland) was on his game and we got some great attacking play from the midfield of Matt Sykes (Sheffield, England), Matt Ribbens (Tinley Park, IL) and Michael Casey (Wakefield, RI) who was a target of some hard tackles. The Stags were a big team and playing fairly direct but our guy’s competed and the second ball was ours for most of the half. Mikey Welsh (Dalgety Bay, Scotland), who had his best match since coming bak from injury, and iron man Robbie Gargaro (Naperville, IL) thwarted what chances Fairfield had with excellent tactical play. Although I felt as though we had momentum as the first half ticked down, neither team was able to get on the board.

The second half began and Fairfield was now the aggressor. In retrospect it was a shame there had to be half-time as didn’t take long for Staggs to get on the board in the 51st minute. We began to push the pace again but as it can happen in games you are chasing, you can expose yourself and the home team capitalized putting an insurance goal on the board in the 74th minute. In the end we just didn’t have enough in our locker to overcome the deficit and a disappointing 2-0 loss.

It has been a difficult stretch as you can imagine but the boy’s continue to work hard and develop as the season progresses. We knew the first part of the schedule would be tough and frankly we all expected better. We are excited the Atlantic 10 season is upon us as this has always been what we have been preparing for since last fall.

After a recovery session yesterday and day off today we will be back at in preparation for the opening A-10 game versus our New England rivals University of Massachusetts on Saturday October 6th at 7:00 pm here at the URI Soccer complex. We have been the road warriors in the first half of the season with only 2 home games so we welcome playing 5 of our last 9 matches at our friendly confines here in Kingston.

At the UMass game we will be welcoming the Exeter-West Greenwich Youth Soccer program as our special guests. It is also our 6th Annual Grassroot Soccer fundraiser night too. As many of you already know Grassroot Soccer  is a global aids education organization that uses soccer to get the message of HIV/Aids to the youth of African countries like Zimbabwe, South Africa and Zambia. Over the past 5 years we have raised close to $8,000 through donations at the gate and in the stands during the game. So, I hope you can join us or if you can’t you will donate to this very worthy cause.

Don’t forget HOMECOMING WEEKEND 2012, October 26th – 28th. It’s a jam-packed three days of A-10 Soccer (Friday vs. Duquesne @7 pm, Sunday vs. St. Bonaventure @ 1 pm) as well as a Alumni vs. Alumni small sided game and pre-football game luncheon. More details will follow but make sure you get it on your calendar. Hope to see you all then…

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

September 27, 2012

Dear Alums & Friends,


The day after a hard fought and disappointing game result is always tough. Everyone does a little soul searching on the bus ride home and some of us are up in the middle of the night thinking and plotting the next move....luckily my wife Sheila is a former college coach and understands it all. Our 4-2 loss to Boston College was not what we were looking for but as we have told the players, the season is a process and in our minds one that should peak in the Atlantic 10 season which begins in a short two weeks.

Coming off the thrilling 4-3 overtime victory against UNH, we recovered and prepared for the always tough Eagles of Boston College of the ACC. BC had some up and down results and we felt as if we stuck to our game plan we could get the result we wanted. A year earlier hear in Kingston we conceded a goal in the first 10 minutes of the game and proceeded to dominate them after that so we were confident going into the game.

The team came out a little slow and flat and with that came the worst case scenario, BC scoring the first 10 minutes of the game. We had short stretches of good play after that wake up, picking up lose balls and trying to get at their back four and threaten which we did but with no results. Unfortunately individual mistakes led to 2 more goals against the run of play and at the half we had dug ourselves a deep hole.

We came out of the interval with guns a blazing, pressing the hosts and were rewarded with sophomore Michael Casey’s (Wakefield, RI) 4th goal of the year.  Senior Matt Ribbens (Tinley Park, IL) cut a ball back on the left flank and delivered a cross that sophomore forward Ross Morison (Linlithgow, Scotland) headed down for the finish. It looked like we were on our way but another errant pass led to a man down goal to put a cushion on the home team lead. We kept pressing and competing and again found joy when super senior Brett Uttley (Jamestown, RI) clipped a ball over the Eagle right back to a streaking Thomas Lindroos (Espoo, Finland) who volleyed an angled ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to cut their lead in half.

We again kept pressing as the game got more physical with time ticking down and we were not able to get any closer when the final whistle blew. It was certainly a tale of two halves as our performance in the second half clearly exceeded that in the first. It was nice to have Mikey Welsh (Dalgety Bay, Scotland), Joey Haught (Brecksville, OH) and Ross Morison making their first appearances back from injury. We are nearly back at full strength as A10’s approach. Keep your fingers crossed that we also have Bryce Naples (Edinburgh, Scotland) and Ryan Oakley (Norwich, England) who have been patiently waiting on the NCAA to rule on their NCAA eligibility status. They have yet to be able to play this season and will be eligible for sure next but we would love to have them now.

As always we had a great fan turnout at the game with our steadfast parents of the Eckmayers, Micheletti’s, Uttley’s, Hess’, Bob Gargaro, Debbie Ribbens, Trevor Peter Moran as well as Dan Brownridge ‘01 who was there for the first half with his wife who is due in March. Pat McGuire ‘92, who firm designed and built the BC soccer complex, was scheduled to be there but was held up with another project scheduling issue.

On to the final game of the non-conference season as we travel to the Fairfield University at 7:00 pm on Saturday September 29th.  Both my father and brother are graduates of Fairfield so I’m sure their will be a little Stagg versus Ram and who has the strongest horns/antlers ribbing going on this week.

Finally, following the FU game we open our Atlantic 10 Conference season when we host the University of Massachusetts on Saturday October 6th at 7:00 pm here at the URI Soccer Complex. That night is also our Annual Grassroot Soccer fundraiser. Donations for entry will be taken at the gate with all proceeds going to this global aids education through soccer organization. Hope to see you all there!

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

September 19, 2012

Dear Alumni & Friends,


It sure was an exciting one last night and another step forward in our development as a team. We gritted out a 4-3 overtime victory over the University of New Hampshire on a blustery night here in Kingston. Rain was forecasted earlier in the day but what little precipitation that came in overtime didn’t damper our supporters, our effort and ultimately the result.

The game couldn’t have started out better for us as crisp passing combined with well timed runs got us into great scoring positions. We were dominating and our speed of play paid off in the 10th minute when Brett Uttley (Jamestown, RI) fired a shot on the face of the goal that deflected off a Wildcat defender and past his own GK into the side netting. We kept up our tempo and increased the lead to 2-0 when Michael Casey (Wakefield, RI) rifled a left footed shot off a miss-cleared ball for his second goal of the season. We continued to look dangerous while holding UNH’s counter attack to a minimal number of chances.

In the second half with the wind across us and UNH pressing the tide changed and the visitors got one back in the 55th minute and tied it in the 74th minute on a rebound after a good save by goalkeeper Thomas Spenser (Hasting on Hudson, NY). The Wildcats had climbed back into the game by their direct style of play combined with some untimely errors. Things looked dreary when in the 84th minute UNH would score what appeared to be the game winner. Our boy’s plugged along and we inserted goalkeeper Adam Blanchard (Scarborough, ME) in order to use his weapon of a leg to put pressure on the UNH back line in the final minutes. It paid off and with only 6 TICS OF THE CLOCK, Michael Casey scored his second of the night off a Robby Gargaro (Naperville, IL) cross to send it to extra time.

We took the wind in the overtime and continued to push for the golden goal....and we got it! Freshmen midfielder Oscar Soons (Breda, Netherlands) slipped and fantastic pass through 2 UNH defenders to senior Matt Ribbens (Tinley Park, IL) who went in all alone from the right, shot, had it initially saved but slotted home his own rebound for the winner.

It was a great team effort and the kind of never say die attitude we needed at this point in the season. The boy’s stepped up to the challenge of a tough game considering some key players were out with injuries (Mikey Welsh – Plantar Fasciitis, Joey Haught – quad strain, Ross Morison – quad strain, Jamie Eckmayer – broken nose).

Before I sign off I got a chance to see my college coach Jim Dyer this past Sunday at the URI vs. Maine women’s game (he is a volunteer assistant for the Black Bear women in his retirement). We had a chance to catch up and the next day he sent me an email with some nice reflections on his career. In it he wrote:

“One of the things that my return to coaching has taught me is that you can coach 'til the cows come home', but sometimes the players have to just go thru the process and learn from the experience of games (sometimes with unsuccessful results) in order to learn what you were trying to coach all along.”

This has certainly held true for our boy’s and it will not surprise me how a game like last night could be the springboard for the future success of the team.

We now have a week off until we travel to Chestnut Hill to face the Boston College Eagles on Tuesday September 25th at 4:00 pm. Hope to see you there as it is another great challenge.

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

September 17, 2012

Dear Friends & Alumni,

It’s a beautiful here in Rhode Island today after a gloomy evening last night at Holy Cross were we dropped a tough 2-1 decision to the Crusaders. We went into the game with 6 players out and unable to play facing a team that was desperate for a win.

We started the game well and were firing on all cylinders but after some successful attack forward but the lost our way after HC weathered the storm. The hosts scored off a full volley that was miss cleared onto the top of the box. Freshmen redshirt goalkeeper Thomas Spenser (Hasting on Hudson, NY) kept the game close with several excellent saves including one of a free kick and another shot from distance he guided around the post.

After a couple of adjustments including bringing on speedy junior forward Andy Hess (North Kingstown, RI) the changes paid off as he earned himself the first goal of his career off an assist from Alan Hernandez (Pearland, TX) knotting the score at 1-1 going into the half.

The second half started as well as the first but again we couldn’t sustain pressure on the Crusaders enough to be able to capitalize. Again “Spense” kept the game tied which included a fantastic double save from point plank range. In the 79th minute several breakdowns led to the hosts getting getting the lead and after furious attack in the final 10 minutes we found no joy.

As I said to the players following the game, we are close but it is going to take the sum of our parts to get us into the victory column. Our brains have to be as strong as our legs and we’ll get that chance again on Tuesday September 18th when we face the University of New Hampshire at the URI Soccer Complex at 7:00 pm. It is South County Youth Soccer Night and we need everyone’s support in getting us moving in the right direction.

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C

September 11, 2012

Dear Alums & Friends,

We got back late last night from our trip to the Windy City. It was a homecoming of sorts for our Chicagoland seniors Matt Ribbens (Tinley Park, IL) and Robby Gargaro (Naperville, IL) as well as for me, as I spent 11 years coaching at the University of Chicago prior to arriving in Kingston. We were there for the NIU adidas Invitational, where we played two 2011 NCAA Tournament participants; the Big Ten’s Northwestern and our hosts from Northern Illinois of the Mid-American Conference. Although we came away with a disappointing 0-1-1 record, I know we learned valuable lessons against good opponents that will make us better down the road.

In our first game on Friday night, a stiff wind became a major factor in the match. NIU was a good squad and they came out with some quality sequences and possession in the opening 30 minutes but were not able to capitalize. The boys settled down and from that point on it became a test of wills… or rather who could survive playing against the wind.

Statistically, NIU was the lead team in shots and corners but their percentages revealed less than a dominant result as freshmen redshirt goalkeeper Thomas Spenser (Hastings on Hudson, NY), starting the first game of his career, handling the Huskies' few dangerous chances. “Spense” had good night handling crosses well and making two big saves when needed; one on a semi breakaway and another on a diving stop off a free kick. Regulation ended 0-0 and in the overtime was not much different as neither team could find the deciding chance. It was far from our best soccer to date but it was a gutsy performance on a night when we had to grind out a result.

On Saturday we had a light training session and then were treated to a relaxing lunch at the home of Robby Gargaro’s house hosted by his parents Bob and Geri and attended by a slew of our Rhody parents including Terry Casey, the Cloutiers, Eckmayers and Ribben’s. We had quite a crowd at both games as in addition to our parents the supporters group included Luann & Jim Ruddy (parents of Dean ’05) and John & Valerie Tanke (parents of Michael ’10) as well as the extended family (grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins) of Andy Hess (N. Kingstown, RI) who hail from the South Side of Chicago.

Sunday, we were provided with a great opportunity in the form of an skillful Northwestern Wildcat team who had beaten Drake 2-1 in OT in the other match-up on Friday night. They were small up front but a very quick and technical team that we felt we could match up well against. The game was all that we thought it would be and statistically even in the end but it had its’ ebbs and flows with NW counting on possession to our counter attack and pockets of soccer.

NWU got on the board first with a scrappy goal it the 15th minute but we continued to battle and 2 minutes from the interval Thomas Lindroos (Espoo, Finland) curled a cross from the flank into the back post space where Andrew Tetzlaff (Livingston, NJ) volleyed it home for the equalizer.

In the opening minutes of the second half we found ourselves behind in the score line again on a controversial “yes/no” offside call that led to a Wildcat goal. We now had to chase the game and with that take chances that could expose us. A lapse in concentration off a short restart led to third NWU goal and the game seemed to be slipping away.

But, the guy’s persevered until Matt Sykes (Sheffield, England) slipped a pass wide to Michael Casey (Wakefield, RI) and he hit a swerving left footed drive from a tough angle that hit off the far post and into the near post side netting for his first goal of the year. We had 11 minutes to go and that is all we could ask for at this juncture. We continued to press to create chances and when Brett Uttley (Jamestown, RI) shot was saved by the Wildcat GK we had ran out of time. Matt Sykes and Michael Casey earned All-Tournament honors for their work on the weekend but I’m sure they would gladly turn in their individual honors for another result.

Now we have a full week of preparation for our next match at Holy Cross on Saturday September 15th at 7:00 pm. It will be nice to get the guy’s in our regular training rhythm with recovery, rest and training.

By the way following the Brown game I received an email from David Stephenson ’64 who commented: “Fifty years ago I made 48 saves against Brown University at Meade Field. Unfortunately there were five shots I did not stop! And just to rub in their triumph against our hapless Rams, their coach, Cliff Stevenson made his team run wind sprints after the game”. Shows you how deep the roots of the Brown/URI rivalry are in the end.

Also got a nice email from Bob Sauter, father of former goalkeeper Mark Sauter ’07. He wanted to let everyone know that Mark got married in Boston the weekend of September 2nd to Leah Marani ‘07, his URI classmate and college sweetheart. Mark is a graduate of University of Cincinnati Law School and works as an Attorney for the Department of Homeland Security in Boston where he deals with immigration cases in federal District Court. Congrats and best wishes to Mark & Leah!

Don’t forget Homecoming Weekend 2012, October 26th – 28th. Hope to see you all then…

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C