September 25, 2009

Dear Alumni & Friends,

Sorry for the delay but if you haven't seen the result as of yet we go a very important one Tuesday night down in New Haven at Yale University. Important for a couple of reasons. First coming off our close 5-0 loss to Brown...LOL, we needed to get back on track. Second, to come from behind and win was equally important to the confidence of the team. We nearly did it against Hartford but accomplishing it against the Bulldogs was encouraging and tells me that we are moving forward.

As far as the game is concerned as didn't get off to a great start, allowing Yale to get on the board early in the match. It has been our MO that last few games and this is an area which we need to sort out or it will be the bane of our existence for the remainder of the season. But, to the guy's credit they plugged away and were determined to equalize and then work up from that point.

At the half it was still 0-1 but I felt we had built momentum and were almost there. One of the shifters in that was freshmen Jamie Eckmayer (Harrington Park, NJ) who we put up front where he was able to threaten with his speed. Combined with Erkko Puranen (Viitasaari, Finland) they caused the Yale back line fits. Errko nearly scored the equalizer less then five minutes into the second half but his attempt pinged off the post. His determination paid off in the 55th minute when he banged in a free kick off a Andres Ruiz (Providence, RI) assist. We continued the pressure and got another couple of chances but regulation ended 1-1.

In overtime we continued our pressure and once again it paid off when junior Greg Balicki (Wilbraham, MA) ripped a ball which bounced out to him after a near chance by Erkko Puranen and it rocketed into the top left corner. It was quite a strike and one which Greg has repeated numerous times in training and now for a game winner. It was a much needed win and move forward in the season. Next up is 24th nationally ranked Boston University tomorrow night at 7:00 pm here at the URI Soccer complex. It will be the last home game until October 16th as we take to the road for our last non-conference match at SUNY-Binghamton on October 3rd and then open the Atlantic 10 schedule on the road at Dayton and Xavier.It has been a long, hard stretch over the past couple of weeks but I'm proud of how they have handled themselves.

Before I sign off I met yesterday with our development staff and alumni relations coordinator and have finalized the schedule for HOMECOMING 2009! We are really looking forward to it as that is our return home from 2 weeks on the road as well as the home A-10 openers. Here is how the weekend will go:

FRIDAY OCTOBER 16th
7:00 pm URI Men's Soccer vs St. Joe's
*After game there will be a pep rally, bonfire and fireworks for all alums, families and friends.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 17th
9:00 am URI Athletics Alumni Registration (between Beck baseball field & practice soccer) - coffee, donuts and FREE t-shirts.
10:00 am URI Soccer Alumni vs Alumni game
10:45 am 2009 URI Hall of Fame Inductees Plaque unveiling - Ryan Center.
11:00 am Lunch & Reception at the athletic tent in "RHODYVILLE" ($13.50 per person for food & football ticket).
12 Noon Football vs Hofstra

SUNDAY OCTOBER 18th
1:00 pm URI Men's Soccer vs Temple

As you can see it should be a fun filled weekend with a great chance to see this years squad, a traditional homecoming (with TAILGATING NOW) as well as catch up with old friends and teammates. For more information on "Homecoming 2009" go to http://advance.uri.edu/alumni/events/homecoming/default.htm.

We're asking that all alumni who plan on attending fill out the attached registration form and return it BEFORE FRIDAY OCTOBER 9th to reserve your football ticket(s) and lunch voucher. NOTE: football tickets and lunch vouchers will be available for purchase on site but NOT at the pre-registration discounted price.

Got to run and get the boys ready so keep in touch and we hope to see you this weekend at BU as well as HOMECOMING 2009!

GO RHODY!
Coach O'C