BROWN 0-0 HOFSTRA
The euphoria of the Friday night win over South Carolina was soon put to rest on Saturday morning as the team prepared to face Hofstra in the second match of the Brown Classic. Training was light but lively and the team was ideally prepared for an entirely different opponent on Sunday afternoon in the penultimate game of the showpiece...
Energy levels were surprisingly high as the match kicked off and the game was played at a frantic pace. Our boys pressed and harried the visitors who were intent on launching the ball into or behind our back-line at every available opportunity. It appeared that Hofstra's direct and disorganized style of play had a little bit of an unsettling effect on our boys, who failed to really ever get into a settled way of playing, despite dominating the early stages of the match while forcing a few corners and a couple of solid saves from the visiting 'keeper. The game was hardly a great spectacle, but entertainment isn't entirely the reason why we play games.... a win was paramount in the mind.
In the end it was our own wasteful finishing that cost us the match as two glaring misses in the second half defined our day. Hofstra probably felt relieved to come out with a draw. We however, just felt.... well.... blah....
Four games in and we've yet to concede a goal and remain undefeated - yet reflecting on those four games it could so easily be 4-0 rather than 2-0-2....
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Catchy Title Options Too Numerous....
BROWN 1-0 SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS
As always, the showpiece event in the college soccer calendar in Rhode Island is the annual Brown Classic. This year was no exception as the perennial powerhouse University of South Carolina from the SEC visited our lovely little state. The atmosphere inside Stevenson was electric with a packed house witnessing a hard-fought and exciting match of college soccer.... The matinee for this match had been an uninspiring battle between Hofstra and Yale, so entertainment was needed!
We expected a physical battle and certainly got one from the Gamecocks. Tackles were tasty, and these southern visitors certainly felt compelled to make sure that our boys felt the full force of their "style" of play...
The first-half was a tight affair with neither side really taking control of the game. A few chances came and went for both teams, but both defences and goalkeepers stood firm. It would be fair to say that a couple of the visiting Gamecocks were fortunate not to be more harshly punished for indiscretions that led to both Sean and T-Mac getting some nasty blows in the face.
But, it was the second-half that really stood out in this outstanding match. After about ten minutes Laughlin released the well-rested attacking cavalry for the Bears, and it was a siege on the visitors goal for about twenty minutes. Oki was at his best, running at will into the spaces behind the home defence, while Austin and Sean's movement caused havoc. With support from a dynamic midfield performance by Evan and Rob it seemed a matter of time before these Gamecocks were put to the sword. Two wonder saves from their 'keeper kept the scores even, and on a rare excursion into home territory Grandstrand was equal to the task to dive full length to deflect away a powerful shot from 25 yards....
Inevitably it was another powerful run from Okafor that set up the winning goal with just eight minutes left in the match. His teasing cross to the back post was supremely guided on the volley by TMac across goal and there was Sean to gleefully head home from four yards out. Cue pandemonium on the sideline as Gimpy Sam was mobbed by his teammates in celebration. As the visitors pressed for an equalizer, counter-attack opportunities became more prevalent and it was from one of these that Oki was crudely chopped from behind when clean through on goal. EVERY person on the field stopped to prepare for the free-kick and inevitable red-card, everyone except the referee that is, who had apparently not seen the incident..... bizarre! Despite some busy moments for the home defence in the closing stages, the Gamecocks couldn't muster a worthwhile effort on goal and were left dejected and defeated. As Laughlin said in the moments after the game "that's what Brown Men's Soccer is all about."
As always, the showpiece event in the college soccer calendar in Rhode Island is the annual Brown Classic. This year was no exception as the perennial powerhouse University of South Carolina from the SEC visited our lovely little state. The atmosphere inside Stevenson was electric with a packed house witnessing a hard-fought and exciting match of college soccer.... The matinee for this match had been an uninspiring battle between Hofstra and Yale, so entertainment was needed!
We expected a physical battle and certainly got one from the Gamecocks. Tackles were tasty, and these southern visitors certainly felt compelled to make sure that our boys felt the full force of their "style" of play...
The first-half was a tight affair with neither side really taking control of the game. A few chances came and went for both teams, but both defences and goalkeepers stood firm. It would be fair to say that a couple of the visiting Gamecocks were fortunate not to be more harshly punished for indiscretions that led to both Sean and T-Mac getting some nasty blows in the face.
But, it was the second-half that really stood out in this outstanding match. After about ten minutes Laughlin released the well-rested attacking cavalry for the Bears, and it was a siege on the visitors goal for about twenty minutes. Oki was at his best, running at will into the spaces behind the home defence, while Austin and Sean's movement caused havoc. With support from a dynamic midfield performance by Evan and Rob it seemed a matter of time before these Gamecocks were put to the sword. Two wonder saves from their 'keeper kept the scores even, and on a rare excursion into home territory Grandstrand was equal to the task to dive full length to deflect away a powerful shot from 25 yards....
Inevitably it was another powerful run from Okafor that set up the winning goal with just eight minutes left in the match. His teasing cross to the back post was supremely guided on the volley by TMac across goal and there was Sean to gleefully head home from four yards out. Cue pandemonium on the sideline as Gimpy Sam was mobbed by his teammates in celebration. As the visitors pressed for an equalizer, counter-attack opportunities became more prevalent and it was from one of these that Oki was crudely chopped from behind when clean through on goal. EVERY person on the field stopped to prepare for the free-kick and inevitable red-card, everyone except the referee that is, who had apparently not seen the incident..... bizarre! Despite some busy moments for the home defence in the closing stages, the Gamecocks couldn't muster a worthwhile effort on goal and were left dejected and defeated. As Laughlin said in the moments after the game "that's what Brown Men's Soccer is all about."
Friars Win World Cup
Or so you'd think.......
The opening weekend of the season was time for the inaugural Ocean State Cup - the brainchild of the four Division 1 soccer programs here in the smallest state in the Union. The elimination-format tournament took place at the home site of two of the participants, with the 3rd/4th place game and championship match being hosted by none other than the Bears of Brown University at Stevenson field. In the opening "semi-finals" URI traveled to Providence College, while we had the short trek up Route 146 to take on the Bulldogs of Bryant University.
BRYANT 0-4 BROWN
Hurricane Earl had muted down into more of a series of scattered heavy showers and wind gusts by the time it had traveled this far north. Yet despite the mellowing, the weather proved to be a far from ideal atmosphere in which to play the first showpiece match of the year. Coming off the back of an encouraging win at UNH in pre-season, the boys were ready and prepared for the challenge presented by a direct and physical opponent in Smithfield.
A fairly even first twenty minutes started to become somewhat one-sided as our boys took hold of the game. Spaces in the home defence began to appear, and a number of half-chances came and went before Oki got on the end of a fine passing move on the left flank and he was left with simplest of jobs to slot the ball home over a flailing home 'keeper from 12 yards out. 1-0 Bears and you could already sense that more was to come....
The second half started almost perfectly for Brown as the returning-from-injury T-Mac bamboozled the home right back, got to the by-line and sent a teasing ball across goal that Sean Rosa made no mistake with. 2-0 after 48 minutes...
A couple of testing shots were fired in at Grandstrand from distance who managed to hold onto a slippery ball that was fired in at pace. But, truth be told, he was never truly tested and was a virtual spectator for much of the match as a solid back-four of Wallsy, Robbo, Fluffy and Dylan (gotta come up with a nickname for the road-runner!) kept a physical yet pedestrian home attack at bay.
As the home side became more frustrated the tackling became reflective of their mood, and it was no surprise when the centre-back got his marching orders for a second rash challenge. What was surprising was that the tackle was the result of Wallsy (yes Wallsy) beating him for pace down the line!
A short while later our peroxide-haired left midfielder from Maine made the result secure with two goals of his own - a well placed free kick from 25 yards out and a tap in from about 25 inches out....
As the game wore down it was an opportunity to blood some of the young promising talent in the squad, and virtually every player on duty made debut minutes in a Brown uniform. Definitely a nice way to kick off the 2010 season!
BROWN 0-0 PC
If the weather had been uncooperative on Friday, Labor Day 2010 was the antidote.... glorious sunshine bathed Stevenson Field as the boys, resplendent in their shiny new white kit, took to the pitch to take on the Friars of Providence College. It has been a long time (five years) since this in-state rivalry had taken place during the regular season. Bragging rights in regular-season 2006 had gone to the Friars, while our boys had been victorious in the last few Spring season meetings... So here we were again, with some silverware at stake this time....
It was a flat atmosphere on college hill as the match kicked-off and the play from both teams certainly reflected that in the opening stages. While our boys were certainly not playing at their maximum potential, there was little threat on either goal in the first 45 minutes. Some choice words from Pat Adidas Laughlin during the interval re-focussed and energized the home team, and PC were on the back-foot for much of the second half. Yet clear-cut chances were still at a premium and neither goalkeeper had very much to do. Inevitably the match entered extra-time and by this stage it appeared that the visitors from Admiral Street were content to see the game out. At one stage there was an APB put out for the PC goalkeeper as he went to retrieve a game ball to take a goal kick....
In the closing minutes we scored a perfectly good goal to win the game, yet the referee spotted a "handball" by Fluffy as he rose to head the ball into the danger area. Apparently Fluffy is now wearing large white goalkeeper gloves in games (maybe he thinks they look cute with the turquoise and pink cleats??). Frustration, yet hardly surprising given the performance of the man-in-the-middle.....
And so, the game ended in a draw. Due to the nature of the competition it had been decided that an actual champion had to be declared and so the lottery of the penalty shootout ensued. I was fearful in the extreme when the hand of our only English player went up to volunteer for a spot kick...... incredulous when our goalkeeper did the same! In true English style Wallsy had his penalty saved and up-stepped former Bruno United player Wilder Arboleda to sink the decisive penalty for the visitors (where's the loyalty, how dare a Bruno player score at Stevenson Field!!!). Mad celebrations ensued for the Friars - we were left wondering exactly what all the fuss was about....
Two games..... zero goals against...... four goals scored...... no major injuries from the games..... Not a bad way to start.....
The opening weekend of the season was time for the inaugural Ocean State Cup - the brainchild of the four Division 1 soccer programs here in the smallest state in the Union. The elimination-format tournament took place at the home site of two of the participants, with the 3rd/4th place game and championship match being hosted by none other than the Bears of Brown University at Stevenson field. In the opening "semi-finals" URI traveled to Providence College, while we had the short trek up Route 146 to take on the Bulldogs of Bryant University.
BRYANT 0-4 BROWN
Hurricane Earl had muted down into more of a series of scattered heavy showers and wind gusts by the time it had traveled this far north. Yet despite the mellowing, the weather proved to be a far from ideal atmosphere in which to play the first showpiece match of the year. Coming off the back of an encouraging win at UNH in pre-season, the boys were ready and prepared for the challenge presented by a direct and physical opponent in Smithfield.
A fairly even first twenty minutes started to become somewhat one-sided as our boys took hold of the game. Spaces in the home defence began to appear, and a number of half-chances came and went before Oki got on the end of a fine passing move on the left flank and he was left with simplest of jobs to slot the ball home over a flailing home 'keeper from 12 yards out. 1-0 Bears and you could already sense that more was to come....
The second half started almost perfectly for Brown as the returning-from-injury T-Mac bamboozled the home right back, got to the by-line and sent a teasing ball across goal that Sean Rosa made no mistake with. 2-0 after 48 minutes...
A couple of testing shots were fired in at Grandstrand from distance who managed to hold onto a slippery ball that was fired in at pace. But, truth be told, he was never truly tested and was a virtual spectator for much of the match as a solid back-four of Wallsy, Robbo, Fluffy and Dylan (gotta come up with a nickname for the road-runner!) kept a physical yet pedestrian home attack at bay.
As the home side became more frustrated the tackling became reflective of their mood, and it was no surprise when the centre-back got his marching orders for a second rash challenge. What was surprising was that the tackle was the result of Wallsy (yes Wallsy) beating him for pace down the line!
A short while later our peroxide-haired left midfielder from Maine made the result secure with two goals of his own - a well placed free kick from 25 yards out and a tap in from about 25 inches out....
As the game wore down it was an opportunity to blood some of the young promising talent in the squad, and virtually every player on duty made debut minutes in a Brown uniform. Definitely a nice way to kick off the 2010 season!
BROWN 0-0 PC
If the weather had been uncooperative on Friday, Labor Day 2010 was the antidote.... glorious sunshine bathed Stevenson Field as the boys, resplendent in their shiny new white kit, took to the pitch to take on the Friars of Providence College. It has been a long time (five years) since this in-state rivalry had taken place during the regular season. Bragging rights in regular-season 2006 had gone to the Friars, while our boys had been victorious in the last few Spring season meetings... So here we were again, with some silverware at stake this time....
It was a flat atmosphere on college hill as the match kicked-off and the play from both teams certainly reflected that in the opening stages. While our boys were certainly not playing at their maximum potential, there was little threat on either goal in the first 45 minutes. Some choice words from Pat Adidas Laughlin during the interval re-focussed and energized the home team, and PC were on the back-foot for much of the second half. Yet clear-cut chances were still at a premium and neither goalkeeper had very much to do. Inevitably the match entered extra-time and by this stage it appeared that the visitors from Admiral Street were content to see the game out. At one stage there was an APB put out for the PC goalkeeper as he went to retrieve a game ball to take a goal kick....
In the closing minutes we scored a perfectly good goal to win the game, yet the referee spotted a "handball" by Fluffy as he rose to head the ball into the danger area. Apparently Fluffy is now wearing large white goalkeeper gloves in games (maybe he thinks they look cute with the turquoise and pink cleats??). Frustration, yet hardly surprising given the performance of the man-in-the-middle.....
And so, the game ended in a draw. Due to the nature of the competition it had been decided that an actual champion had to be declared and so the lottery of the penalty shootout ensued. I was fearful in the extreme when the hand of our only English player went up to volunteer for a spot kick...... incredulous when our goalkeeper did the same! In true English style Wallsy had his penalty saved and up-stepped former Bruno United player Wilder Arboleda to sink the decisive penalty for the visitors (where's the loyalty, how dare a Bruno player score at Stevenson Field!!!). Mad celebrations ensued for the Friars - we were left wondering exactly what all the fuss was about....
Two games..... zero goals against...... four goals scored...... no major injuries from the games..... Not a bad way to start.....
Thursday, September 9, 2010
The Big Kick-Off
Yes, it's that time again.... the new season is upon us and the men of Brown Men's Soccer are underway, looking to build upon the improvements shown during the 2009 season as they once again tackle some of the nation's very best collegiate teams on college hill.
The roster remains with a very familiar look from the one that ended the previous campaign, with more than 20 players returning. We have said goodbye to some great players, but also welcomed a talented young group of freshmen who will be looking to prove themselves capable of stepping onto the hallowed grass of Stevenson Field....
Pre-Season
A relatively healthy group reported back for the start of double-sessions and from the outset the energy and enthusiasm was high. Coach Laughlin wasted no time in imprinting his expectations for the group and they responded accordingly. Fitness levels were excellent, and the attitude was positive. The entire squad traveled up to UNH on August 28th and a creditable 1-0 victory was earned against a UNH team that was playing its third pre-season match. Sean Rosa scored the decisive goal midway through the first half, latching on to a loose ball in the box after a trademark Manella long-throw.
As double-sessions ended and the team geared up for the first "real" match of the season one could sense confidence and optimism from within....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)