September 18, 2009

Dear Alums & Friends,

Sorry for not writing until now but it has been a busy couple of days since our last match on Wednesday night. We have a quick turnover with Brown coming to town tomorrow night here at the URI Soccer Complex.

As we all know soccer is a delicate game and can change in the blink of an eye and feel like a slap in the face. We've all been a part of matches like that and no one feels comfortable when it happens. Wednesday night the first 15 minutes of the match was the difference on the night and although our boy's fought hard to get themselves back in the game, the hole was just a little too deep for us to climb out of against a talented University of Hartford squad. Kudos to them for holding us off as they cleared two off the line and their goalkeeper and defense did well recovering from two breakaway opportunities from Greg Balicki (Wilbraham, MA) and Thomas Lindroos (Espoo, Finland). On the positive side we did battle and got back into the game just 20 second into the second half when Erkko Puranen (Viitasaari, Finland) tallied his first goal of the season. That set the tone for the rest of the match but we just couldn't get the equalizer.

Well, the past is the past and we have to move on and there is not much greater than the inter-state rivalry between the Rhode Island Rams and the Brown Bears. It will be a great game not only because of the intense competition and mutual respect the teams hold for each other but also because it is GRASSROOT SOCCER NIGHT at the URI Soccer Complex. It is the second consecutive year URI and Brown have played a game which benefits Grasroot Soccer, a global aids education and awareness organization. Admission to the game is FREE but we are asking everyone for a minimum $1.00 donation of which ALL PROCEEDS go to Grassroot Soccer. Both URI and Browns men's soccer will be adding to that tally through the purchase of limited addition warm-up jerseys they will wear prior to the game generously donated by both of our apparel sponsors Adidas.

So, we hope that all our local supporters will be there tomorrow night for what is always a great match-up. We have another short week when we are away at Yale on Tuesday September 22nd and home again with Boston University on Saturday September 26th at 7:00 pm. Don't forget Alumni Weekend October 16-18 and our Alumni v. Alumni game at 10:00 am on the 17th.

Keep in touch and GO RHODY!
Coach O'C