September 4, 2008

Dear Alumni & Friends,

Hope you all had a good labor day and have been enjoying weather as beautiful as what we have had here in Kingston. We just returned from the first games of the 2008 season, coming away with a win and a loss in the 19th Annual UNH Nike Fall Classic hosted by the University of New Hampshire. It was a great setting to begin the season after 15 days of pre-season training. It was nice to get away on our own and begin the fall campaign.

In the first game of the weekend, we came up against former URI Assistant Coach Pat Laughlin and his University of Maine Black Bears. As many may know, I am a Maine graduate (Pat is too) so it was a doubly special game for both of us. Maine is a much improved team from a year ago and that is something I expected considering Pat's knowledge and experience. The guys were excited to get things going but also nervous at the same time. The Black Bears were the better team the first 30 minutes and earned a great goal on a 25 yard strike. It came from a corner that we defended well, but the ball bounced out to Maine center midfielder Niko Bogdonovic who drove it through a crowd into the corner of the goal. Ironically, Niko worked at our camp this past summer so I told him after the game he was "fired"...LOL. The half ended 0-1 to the other guys in blue.

In the second, after re-organizing and a spirited speech by junior transfer Kevin Shaw (Denny, Scotland), the boys came out with a fury. Their hard work and resolve paid off when sophomore Greg Balicki (Wilbraham, MA) drove a diagonal cross over everyone, from the left side to the back post, where sophomore Josh Sousa (Cumberland, RI) headed it in. Maine would not back down and only a great save on a mini break-a-way by junior goalkeeper Chris Pennock (Middlesborough, England) would keep the score even at 1-1. The boys continued the pressure earning the game winner, this time off a corner. Junior transfer Gary Crooks (Falkirk, Scotland) bent a left footer to the back post where freshmen defender Franco LoPresti (Whitby, Ontario) headed it back into the 6 yard box. Sophomore defender Dwayne Williams (Westmoreland, Jamaica) connected with it, glancing the ball off a Maine defender and in to put us up 2-1. The score remained the same and we got our first win of the season.

After a day off on Saturday, we moved onto Sunday's tournament final versus host New Hampshire who had beaten Adelphi University 2-1 in the first game on Friday. The Wildcats were a big crew so not only did we have to match their size but also playing against a stiff wind in the first half. The game started out well for our boys with the ball moving crisply on UNH's new field turf. Greg Balicki came out on fire getting several quality crosses into the box while Josh Sousa and senior forward Kedan Crosby (St. James, Trinidad) nearly put us on the board early. Unfortunately, UNH would find the net first on a 45-yard driven free kick. We had hoped to withstand the wind without any damage on the scoreboard and nearly did it.

The second half saw the Rams getting several very good chances and only a big save by the Wildcat GK kept us from equalizing. With 5 minutes to go, we pushed forward in an attempt to tie the game but with 47 seconds left on the clock, UNH broke on a 3 v 1 and only after Chris Pennock saved an initial shot did the home team tally to make the final score 2-0. It was a disappointing result in a game we felt good about, but kudos to the champions. Kedan Crosby, Greg Balicki and sophomore defender Ryan McCormick (Cranston, RI) were named to the All-Tournament team for their efforts.

All in all, I thought we learned a lot about ourselves over the weekend. At this point in the season we are not the finished product and continue to work together to develop the squad. We began the Maine game with 1 freshman, 5 sophomores , 3 juniors and 2 seniors on the field with a deep bench of contributors who could be starters behind them. We are young and still looking for the best in each and every one of us. So, I'm confident we will find the consistency that will carry us through the season.

Today classes begin and we will now prepare for in-state rival Providence College next Tuesday. The Friars upset Boston College (which was ranked No. 4 at the time) 1-0 on Labor Day so this will just add to the already intense atmosphere that comes with this rivalry. The match - which is scheduled for a 3 PM start on Tuesday September 9th, will air locally on Cox Sports (via tape delay) on September 11th at 7:00 pm. We really hope that all of our local alums and friends will be there to cheers us on!

And don't forget... our HOME OPENER is Friday, September 12th at 7:00 pm at the URI Soccer Complex!

Follow the RAMS at www.gorhody.com and for an inside look at the team/season, check out Kedan's Korner - senior co-captain Kedan Crosby's season-long blog.

GO RAMS!

P.S. Click here to watch Lukasz Tumicz `08 scoring two goals this past weekend as his club Jagellonia Bialystok picked up a 2-0 win!

August 27, 2008

Dear Alumni & Friends,

Yesterday we finished up our last day of double sessions in pre-season with the regular season right around the corner. It has been a long couple of weeks but very productive as we head into the first weekend of the 2008 campaign. Thursday we head to the University of New Hampshire for the UNH Nike Classic. Friday we come up against old friend and former URI Assistant Pat Laughlin and the Black Bears of Maine and finish up the weekend versus host UNH on Sunday. These will be two challenging matches against these America East Conference rivals and a great test for our young team.

Pre-season, as I said, has been marked by hard work and a tremendous amount of enthusiasm. This year, the squad had the addition of nine new players that included 3 transfers. The latter group brings us experience while the remainder, a great base for the future. It has been a very competitive situation for everyone and our depth in every position is tremendous. I've been very proud of the captains, senior Kedan Crosby (St. James, Trinidad) and junior Chris Pennock (Middlesborough, England) who have done a great job bringing the squad together.

we've also had a chance to see the squad in action outside of training in an exhibition game versus Bryant College (which is moving to Division I in 2010) as well as a Blue vs. White game this past Saturday night. Against Bryant, we got goals from sophomore Josh Sousa (Barrington, R.I.) and Kedan Crosby for a 2-0 win. In the Blue vs. White game Sousa tallied again but sophomore defender Dwayne Williams (Westmoreland, Jamaica) equalized to keep the score knotted at 1-1. Many thanks to alumni Kevin Algozer, Brian Bradley, Paul Fanning, Steve Froberg, Kevin Kennedy and Dennis Richards who came along to help us make up numbers due to some injuries.

I don't want to forget to remind all of you to join us for our home opener on Friday September 12th at 7:00 pm versus the University of Albany. We have some great matches this season including 7 against teams that made the NCAA tournament in 2007. Our game against in-state rival Providence College on Tuesday September 9th will be broadcast locally on Cox Sports (via tape delay, September 11th at 7:00 pm).

When we take the field at Brown on September 20th, it will be a special night as we are helping to fundraise with the Bears for Grassroots Soccer - a non-profit organization that educates and raises awareness about AIDS in Africa through soccer. The squad will wear special edition jerseys provided by adidas in recognition of the night. The game jerseys will be auctioned off with all proceeds will got to GRS. I have a personal attachment to Grassroots as it was founded by Dartmouth College standouts Tommy Clark (son of my boss at Dartmouth) and Methembe Ndlovu (a former Zimbabwean International) whom I had the pleasure of coaching while in Hanover from 1990-1994. It should be a good night and a great match, all for a very worthy cause. If you want more information about Grassroots Soccer and what YOU can do to help, log onto www.grassrootsoccer.org .

Of course one of the highlights of the year will be on Friday October 3rd when we welcome back former URI standout and Siena College Head Coach Gareth Elliott `02 to the URI Soccer Complex for a 7:00 pm tilt. Gareth begins his first season at the helm for the Saints and we are so excited to have him back in Kingston for a match.

Before signing off, I would be remiss if I didn't say congratulations to Dean Ruddy '06 for recently signing a contract with Lewes FC in England. I got the news from his mom Luanne who said Deano is excited as he has moved up three levels and is now playing in the Blue Square Premier Division. Much of their talent comes from the Premier League and he is now part of some good soccer traditions and competition.

Along with Dean, we also saw some movement here in the states when Ross Smith `03 signed with the Rochester Rhinos this past spring. He was formerly with Dagenham & Redbridge FC in England's Second Division where he represented the club in England's prestigious FA Cup.

Hopefully many of you have also been following the progress of Geoff Cameron and Danleigh Borman in Major League Soccer. The two played against each other this past weekend with Borman's New York Red Bulls getting the best of Cameron's Houston Dynamo, 3-0. Geoff has been a jack of all trades for the Texas based club, being mentioned as the "Best Kept Rookie Secret in MLS" by Ridge Mahoney of SoccerAmerica. Danleigh is online too - and you will get a good laugh if you check out he and his housemates' "Real Life: Secacus" video on YouTube.

Well, that is about it from here... the season begins soon, and we're all excited! Hopefully we will see you all - both here and on the road - cheering the boys on... Have a great remainder of the summer and GO RAMS!

August 7, 2008

It's been quite a while since my last installment of "This End of the Bench" so I thought I would update you on what is going on here in the world of URI men's soccer. Pre-season is less that a week away and we are excited to get rolling. We have nine new players coming in with loads of experience and exciting potential for the future so I look forward to you getting a chance to see them. If you haven't seen their profiles and backgrounds yet, Rob Czlonka to our staff as Assistant Coach and Director of Coaching for Rams FC which is our fundraising arm of URI men's soccer. Rob comes to us from Carnegie Mellon University and we are excited to have him on board. I met Rob when doing camp at Notre Dame and I am confident he will do a great job for us and the program. Make sure you introduce yourself to him when you get a chance and welcome him to the Rhody Soccer Family.

On Tuesday night, Rob Czlonka and I were lucky to get to Gillette Stadium to see Geoffrey Cameron and his Dynamo teammates take on the New England Revolution in the 2008 SuperLiga Final. Also in attendance were Frank Bergren and daughter (and former men's soccer manager) Emily, Doug Stone and his wife as well as Jodi Pontbriand (Sports Communications), her roommate and Lauren Goley, Michelle Levreault and Angie Farine from our athletic training staff. Unfortunately (depending on which way you look at it) the Revolution beat the Dynamo in a PK shootout after a 2-2 overtime tie. Geoff got an assist on the first goal of the game and played well at CENTER BACK...yes you read it correctly. Cam has been playing all over the park for the defending MLS Champions as a starter and reserve at forward, right midfielder, center midfielder, right back and center back.

I got a chance to meet Houston's President and General Manager Oliver Luck, who said that the organization was very pleased with Geoff and felt as though he was playing "like a 5th year veteran, not a rookie!"

Danleigh Borman is still plugging away with New York Red Bull and getting plenty of time with the reserves. His minutes with the first team are restricted because of his roster slot with the big club. If he goes over in minutes played as an international developmental player, the club would have to change his status.

Here is a great article written about Danleigh which is a tremendous tribute to his hard work and determination. Hopefully you got to see him and his New York Red Bull teammates take on Barcelona last night (8/6/08) at 7:00 pm on ESPN 2 as part of Barca's US tour. Not a great result, but Danleigh played the first 45 minutes and had his hands full with Thierry Henri, Samuel Eto'o and their teammates.

Have not heard from Lukasz Tumicz as of late, but he has started his pre-season and first full-season with his club Jagiellonia Bialystok in the Polish First Division. As you know, he played part of the season with them this past spring which included a goal 2 minutes into his first appearance with the club against their rival. Callum Bissett is finishing up his first full season with the Western Mass Pioneer (USL 2) and has his final friendly against the Vermont Voltage on August 9th.

Before I sign off, I encourage everyone to get out to our games this fall. It should be an exciting season with some new faces to keep up the URI Men's Soccer tradition of excellence. I've attached a schedule and hope to see you at some matches... Keep your eyes on your e-mail for our "fall soccer weekend" announcement as well as some special doings in the works.

All the Best and GO RAMS!

April 13, 2008

Hi Folks,

We're over halfway through the spring season and it is going well on all accounts. Not only have we got good results but we have been learning a lot along the way. We have put ourselves in some unique situations and played some very good teams so it has been a tremendous experience for our young players.

Kedan Crosby (St. James, Trinidad) and Josh Sousa (Cumberland, RI) each have scored 2 goals including the 2 in our win over Central Connecticut State University this past weekend at the Toyota Classic in Lancaster, MA. CCSU qualified for the NCAA Division I tournament this past fall and lost to our A-10 rival UMass in the round of 32 so it was a pretty good feather in our guys' cap.

In the second game of the weekend, we tied Quinnipiac taking a 2-0 lead on goals by Crosby on a cross from Kevin Hamill (Easton, CT) and central defender Dwayne Williams (Westmoreland, Jamaica) on a powerful header off a corner kick...He "bocked" the ball as he says - which in Jamaica means he headed it...hard!

We were all disappointed with the second result as we did not manage the game well in terms of dictating play when we were ahead in the game. So, it became quite a lesson for the guys which we hope they will use down the road.

Thanks to all the alumni, parents and friends for voting for Geoffrey Cameron first career goal for the Houston Dynamo for MLS Goal of the Week. HE WON IT! What a great honor and something he will never forget. I got a call last night from Lukasz Tumicz with some great news himself as he scored his first career goal for Jagiellonia Bialystok FC. You can see it on YouTube - here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndnqaR1VjGU

He was as excited as he scored in the first minute he was on! Things always happen in threes so now we just need Danleigh Borman, to tally his first goal for the New York Red Bulls. Danleigh started this past weekend and played the whole game in lost to FC Dallas.

We're less than two weeks away from "THE GAME"...that's right the ANNUAL ALUMNI GAME & TEAM BANQUET ON APRIL 26th. I would request that our alums please let us know if your will be attending (whether playing or not) so we have enough t-shirts and food for the post-game banquet.

For parents and friends of the program, drop us a line too as everyone is invited and we need to have an accurate head count. Registration for the weekend is $35.00 and includes dinner and the sponsorship of one of the players for the banquet. Checks can be made out to RIRAA - Men's Soccer

NOTE: If you cannot make it that weekend, feel free to sponsor one of our players for the banquet - your support is appreciated!

P.S. 10th Annual URI men's soccer GOLF OUTING ON MONDAY AUGUST 11th AT FENNER HILL GOLF CLUB IN HOPE VALLEY, RI. More information on both events will follow but clear your calendars and join us for two of the best events we do here for URI soccer.

Mach 23, 2008

Dear Alums & Friends,

I apologize for not be in touch for a while but even though we are in between our traditional and non-traditional seasons it has been a busy time on campus. First and foremost we were in the hunt to replace Gareth Elliott who as most of you know, left in January to become the head coach at Siena College (NY). "G" has been busy himself sorting out things for his program but we didn't have to look far for someone to fill his shoes. Our second assistant Mitch Stone was elevated into the full-time position Gareth vacated and now we are on the look out for the person and funding to fill this position.

The second thing on the docket was fundraising and we have been working hard with alumni appeals and working with our club program to raise the funds necessary to get a second assistant on board. We had some moderate success with donations from alums and friends. We were stunned and extremely grateful for these but most especially to Vince McCrudden who chipped in with a $10,000 check for the program. Vince and his brother Dan who both played here at URI have been big supporters of URI soccer and we can't say enough about what Vince's generosity will do for us.

On the playing front the guy's have been training this winter with technical sessions on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 6:30 am while lifting and running Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the afternoons. They are on break this week and excited to get outside when they get back to campus to begin our non traditional spring season. We kick it off with a trip to Siena College on March 29th to meet up with Gareth Elliott's new squad and continue on with a games against UMass, Central Connecticut, Quinnipiac, UMass-Lowell (NCAA Division II), Southern New Hampshire (NCAA Division II), Maine and finish off with the annual Alumni Game and banquet on Saturday April 26th at 1:00 pm here in Kingston. We hope you have already begun to make your plans to be here that weekend as last years event was a blast.

From the alumni front we are happy to update you on our guy's who are out there trying to make a go at playing the game they love. Geoffrey Cameron is presently in Guatemala with the Houston Dynamo after signing a senior roster contract. Lukasz Tumicz was unfortunately released by the Columbus Crew but fate has a funny way of working out as he got a chance to travel back home to Poland for a trial with Jagiellonia Bialystok FC of the Polish First Division and subsequently earned himself a three year contract to play the team who ironically was the one he supported as a youth. Danleigh Borman, who was taken in the supplementary draft by Red Bull New York, was back on campus about a week ago after returning to the states from Austria where he continued to train with Red Bull. We just got great news the other day that he was offered and accepted a senior developmental contract with New York and it looks like - according to internet rumors - he has a very good chance to begin the season as a starter.

Closer to Rhode Island, Callum Bissett, who was invited to pre-season with the Harrisburg City Islanders (United Soccer Leagues Second Division) decided to stay nearer to his surrogate home and has signed with the Western Mass Pioneers. It's an extraordinary accomplishment for such a talented class.

Well, that's about all there is to report. We continue on the search for a second assistant and are looking forward to the ANNUAL ALUMNI GAME & TEAM BANQUET ON APRIL 26th. Don't forget about the 10th Annual URI men's soccer GOLF OUTING ON MONDAY AUGUST 11th AT FENNER HILL GOLF CLUB IN HOPE VALLEY, RI. More information on both events will follow but clear your calendars and join us for two of the best events we do here for URI soccer.

Happy Easter and GO RAMS!

January 27, 2008

Dear Friends & Alumni,

WHEW! It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks here, so I thought I would give you a quick update with what has been going on here in URI soccer land...

First, as many of you know, my assistant Gareth Elliott was recently named the head coach at Siena College. He's been around this week saying his farewells, although we know he will not be too far away.

We had a great sending off event last Saturday over at Charlie O's in Narragansett. I have to thank Chris Simon for his hospitality in helping us with the arrangements and for his generosity in providing food for this crew. Although we had to cancel our little testimonial game in the morning because of some facility issues here, we had over 50 people in attendance, including alums Aidan Byrne and his wife (Aidan is going to be a dad very soon), Jesse Simmons, Michael Bradley and his sons Logan & Keegan, Kevin Kennedy, Corey Sullivan, Lukasz Tumicz, Danleigh Borman, Dawid Badecki, Callum Bissett, Mike Stricklind, Nancy Stricklind , Mike Rogers, Dennis Richards as well as Terry and Trish Casey.

Doug Stone, Ben Smith, Brian Bradley, Steve & Kyle Froberg, Paul Fanning and Pat Maguire also would have been there if it was not for the schedule change and some conflicts.

Also in attendance from the athletic department were Paul Kassabian (compliance), Ted Romanosky (equipment manager), Mitzi Dusin (athletic trainer), Jim Foster (baseball coach), Jodi Pontbriand (sports information), Lauren Goley (athletic trainer), Michelle Levreault (athletic trainer), Angie Farine (athletic trainer), Liz Proctor (strength coach), Denise King (assistant women's basketball coach), Donna Perrault (business office) and Mike Laprey (sports information director) as well as Frank, Wendy, Molly and Emily Bergren and Dr. John Sullivan (sports psychologist).

So, you can see it was a great crew. I received a lot of terrific e-mails from people wishing Gareth well as they couldn't make it because of distance or schedule conflicts.

I also want to thank Russell Blank, Michael Bradley, Terry & Trish Casey, Jeanette Gonsalves and her family, Mike & Nancy Stricklin, track & field coach John Copeland, academic advisor Winkle Kelly, Corey Sullivan and the Pryess family for their and others' generous contributions that helped us raise over $1,000 which will be donated to the program in Gareth's name - a very nice tribute to an incredible player, dedicated alum and talented coach!

Of course the exciting news on the soccer front was the drafting of Geoffrey Cameron, Danleigh Borman and Lukasz Tumicz into Major League Soccer. Geoffrey and Lukasz were invited to the MLS Combine in early January and the big fella from Attleboro, MA was subsequently drafted in the 3rd round of the MLS Superdraft by the 2007 MLS Champion Houston Dynamo. Lukasz and Danleigh were selected in the supplemental draft this past Thursday, with our South African friend being selected as the 7th overall pick by the New York Red Bull while the Polish wonder boy went 34th to the Columbus Crew. We are very excited for them as well as for Callum Bissett who will be going to training camp for the USL Harrisburg City Islanders very shortly. What a great class and tribute for URI men's soccer!

The last bit of news I wanted to share before signing off is that at the Atlantic 10 Conference soccer meeting during the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) convention in Baltimore, the University of Rhode Island was named the 2009 ATLANTIC 10 CHAMPIONSHIP HOST SCHOOL! We are ecstatic about this opportunity as we haven't hosted since 2000!

We have a lot of work and planning to do though - including finishing the DUGOUT & SCORERS BOOTH PROJECT... if this isn't incentive for all of us I don't know what is!

Well, that is about it now... a lot of news but all of the exciting kind! The players are back on campus and we begin our winter training next week. Before you know it we will be back on the field playing.

And speaking of playing... keep an eye on the web site for our spring schedule. The annual ALUMNI GAME & TEAM BANQUET IS SATURDAY MARCH 29th AT 1:00 PM, so start getting fit and making your plans to be here!

GO RAMS!
Coach O'C

P.S. DON'T FORGET THE 12th ANNUAL ALUMNI GOLF OUTING IS MONDAY AUGUST 11th AT FENNER HILL GOLF CLUB IN HOPE VALLEY, RI! START PRACTICING AND GET YOUR FOURSOMES READY!

December 20, 2007

Dear Friends & Alumni,

I'm off to Toronto tomorrow morning (7:00 am!) for a showcase this weekend and don't return until the 23rd. So, I wanted to drop you a quick note wishing you and yours a Happy Holiday and a wonderful New Year!

It has been quite a busy place around here with the hiring of our new football coach Darren Rizzi '92 (former Rhody football player) as well as watching the UMass soccer team make its run at the NCAA Championship. Although we are jealous that UMass was there and we weren't, it is great for the Atlantic 10 Conference and we are happy for our good friend Sam Koch and his squad. It goes to show you the potential we had but the Minuteman peaked at the right time, got some great performances and had a little luck on their side - which you always need in a special season.

I remember back in 1996 when I took my University of Chicago team to the NCAA Division III Final Four, where along the way we beat the #1 team in the country Wheaton (IL) in a PK shoot-out, #6 Trinity (TX) 1-0 - after being out cornered 19-1 and came from behind to beat the #8 Greensboro to get to there. Only a 3-2 loss to Kenyon in the semifinals stood in our way of our ultimate goal.

URI soccer always has that potential to do the same. So, we will get back to work after the holidays preparing for our spring non-traditional season and of course the 2008 campaign. It will be an exciting ride with all the new faces and energy this young team brings. Stay tuned...

I would be remiss if, before I sign off, I didn't send some special holiday wishes to the 2007 squad for their hard work and unrelenting spirit; to my assistants Gareth Elliott and Mitch Stone for keeping me sane; to our volunteers Ben Smith and Frank Bergren who continually amaze me with how they can juggle their full time jobs and families with helping the boys; to Doug Stone for believing in us and keeping us strong in mind and body; to Lauren Goley for keeping us healthy and for the care and compassion she shows for the squad; and of course to all our parents and alums for their continued and undying support of URI soccer. I'm confident that the new year will bring us an exciting time here in the soccer office and hope that you will continue to be a part of it.

All the best for healthy and happy holiday season from our family to yours,

Coach O'C