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