Vermont 0-3 Brown
The University of Vermont is a nice place. Cold, wet, and windy, but nice. As we departed College Hill on Friday we prepared ourselves for the long treck through northern New England and an afternoon training session on the UVM campus..... We checked into the hotel on time and headed over to campus for a light training session before taking on the Catamounts the next day in a lunchtime showdown. We were well prepared to take on the home team but certainly not expecting an easy ride.... This is a team that had already won three games, including a significant victory over Stanford in an early season tournament.
Saturday was a much better weather day than Friday with the sun poking through the clouds and just a light breeze blowing in place of the blustery conditions that had greeted us the day before... The match kicked off and we immediately knew that we were going to have to stand-strong to cope with a team that was high in confidence and fully prepared to try to physically overpower us. Superior soccer was the order of the day for our boys and despite the home teams' attempts to unsettle us, we carved out the better openings of the half. Grandstrand was relatively untested...... Once again, it was that man Pops who came up with the first goal of the game as he exchanged passes with Tayls at the top of the box and chipped the home 'keeper from a tight angle. It was a truly excellent goal, better than anything Tevez has ever produced....
Scoring just before half-time is always a boost, and the boys entered the break in good spirits and ready to push on in the second-half. There were very few nervous moments in the second half to be fair, and the only real concern on the sidelines was ensuring that we stayed injury-free and didn't make a catastrophic mistake. The home team changed their shape in an attempt to assert more pressure, but our boys were alert to the shenanigans and coped comfortably. The game was put beyond doubt ten minutes from the end by Sean Rosa with a goal of the simplest nature. Grandstrand launched a kick deep into the UVM half of the field, Coleman flicked on with his head, and Sean just ran through and had the simplest of tasks to put the ball low into the corner. It was a complete contrast to the outstanding passing movement and finish of the first goal, but we didn't care.....
Late on, as UVM pushed forward more, Oki got in on the fun and was on the end of another long ball forward to score our third of the day. His initial shot was hit with such ferocity that the UVM 'keeper fell asleep while waiting for the ball to reach him and consequently Jon was able to follow-up and score the rebound while the custodian snoozed.......
Two road wins in a row now and two consecutive clean-sheets. League play is on the horizon. Columbia are coming to town......
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Terriers Lost Their Bite....
Boston University 0-2 Brown
The euphoria that followed the Friday night win over Indiana was also tempered with the simple fact that we had to regroup and re-energize less than 48 hours later to face Boston University at Nickerson Field.
BU is a tricky opponent, a team with pace and power and playing on the “lovely” field-turf in Boston. The boys seemed well-prepared, and we knew that our squad depth would be tested to it’s limits as we took to the field. The home side were certainly ready-to-play, and were intent on rebounding from a bad loss at arch rival Boston College just a few days earlier.
Almost from the outset we got the sense that the pace of the game was going to be an issue for us. Lethargic would be an apt description for the first half-hour of play…. We survived a couple of scares with ball hitting our crossbar and another long-distance effort missing by inches with Grandstrand unsighted. It was to the bench that Laughlin went, and the introduction of four sets of fresh legs after a half-hour seemed to give the team the lift we needed.
Shortly before half-time the ball found its way to TJ Pops just inside the BU box and he swiveled to hit an unstoppable half-volley into the corner of the net. On the balance of play you could say it was less than we deserved at that stage of the game, BUT, you still have to finish your chances….. and Pops did….
As the second-half got underway Laughlin kept faith with the players who had ended the half so well, and it proved to be a masterstroke. Ten minutes into the second period Bobby “megged often” Belair made a late run into the box and planted a header beyond the reach of the Terriers keeper after a quality service by Jay from deep on the left wing.
At this point our energy levels seemed to increase further and the home side never really threatened with any real great chances. Once again, the defence stood firm, the midfield scrapped and battled, and our forwards continued to work their opponents hard, giving them no time on the ball.
Another shut-out for Grandstrand, another excellent performance in difficult circumstances, and not a bad way to end a weekend! Onwards to Vermont….
The euphoria that followed the Friday night win over Indiana was also tempered with the simple fact that we had to regroup and re-energize less than 48 hours later to face Boston University at Nickerson Field.
BU is a tricky opponent, a team with pace and power and playing on the “lovely” field-turf in Boston. The boys seemed well-prepared, and we knew that our squad depth would be tested to it’s limits as we took to the field. The home side were certainly ready-to-play, and were intent on rebounding from a bad loss at arch rival Boston College just a few days earlier.
Almost from the outset we got the sense that the pace of the game was going to be an issue for us. Lethargic would be an apt description for the first half-hour of play…. We survived a couple of scares with ball hitting our crossbar and another long-distance effort missing by inches with Grandstrand unsighted. It was to the bench that Laughlin went, and the introduction of four sets of fresh legs after a half-hour seemed to give the team the lift we needed.
Shortly before half-time the ball found its way to TJ Pops just inside the BU box and he swiveled to hit an unstoppable half-volley into the corner of the net. On the balance of play you could say it was less than we deserved at that stage of the game, BUT, you still have to finish your chances….. and Pops did….
As the second-half got underway Laughlin kept faith with the players who had ended the half so well, and it proved to be a masterstroke. Ten minutes into the second period Bobby “megged often” Belair made a late run into the box and planted a header beyond the reach of the Terriers keeper after a quality service by Jay from deep on the left wing.
At this point our energy levels seemed to increase further and the home side never really threatened with any real great chances. Once again, the defence stood firm, the midfield scrapped and battled, and our forwards continued to work their opponents hard, giving them no time on the ball.
Another shut-out for Grandstrand, another excellent performance in difficult circumstances, and not a bad way to end a weekend! Onwards to Vermont….
WHOosiers Defeated
Brown 2-1 Indiana
The marquee matchup of the season so far saw the visit of the infamous Indiana Hoosiers to Stevenson field. Having done our homework on this squad, we knew it was going to take a mighty effort on our part to secure a good result.
The match kicked-off in the cool autumn night with an unusually low crowd on College Hill. Although, as is always the case, the Brown student population began gathering just minutes into the match, and formed a raucous and supportive noise to cheer the boys along.
It was an end-to-end affair throughout the opening skirmishes of this contest, with both teams having a share of the ball and testing the defences. Both stood strong until the 15th minute, when a speculative effort from 25 yards was uncharacteristically fumbled by the previously robotically-efficient Grandstrand, and the Hoosiers #10 gleefully knocked the rebound goalwards. Despite a magnificent effort by Evan to clear the ball off the line, the linesman had already made his mind up and given the goal. 1-0 Hoosiers, and our first goal conceded on the season. Was it over the line? More irony to follow……
The first time a team concedes a goal can tell you much about the character and mental capabilities of that group. Do they go into a shell? Do they concede another goal quickly afterwards? Or do they respond with a determination to set the record straight and recover from the blip? Well, you can guess how these Bears responded….
Indiana were buoyed by the goal and played some decent stuff over the next 10-15 minutes, but our defence stood resolute, and slowly we started to exert pressure of our own. Gaps began to appear and the visiting ‘keeper made two excellent saves. Just before half-time it seemed that we’d leveled the match as Jay squeezed the ball over the line at the back post. However, the linesman had failed to see the ball clearly cross the line and Indiana hacked it clear. A 1-0 halftime deficit was a harsh reflection on 45 minutes that had seen these feisty Bears more than match their esteemed opponents…
The half-time talk wasn’t time for panic or screaming and yelling. Calm words from Coach Laughlin kept the boys on an even keel, and just a few minutes into the second half our pressure paid off as T-Mac buried a shot into the Indiana goal… The second half developed into a pulsating contest as both teams went for the game winner. Our boys enjoyed the lions share of possession for a 20 minute spell without getting that elusive goal….
Just as it seemed that the match was headed into extra time up popped our resident Canadian to grab the winner. As Sean bore down on goal he evaded the onrushing ‘keeper and squeezed a shot towards goal from an acute angle. Cue delirium….
As much as these Hoosiers huffed and puffed, Robertson, McDuff and the rest of our defensive unit stood strong and resolute. The final whistle blew and it was all over. The seven-time national champions departed college hill knowing that they had simply been beaten by the better team……
The marquee matchup of the season so far saw the visit of the infamous Indiana Hoosiers to Stevenson field. Having done our homework on this squad, we knew it was going to take a mighty effort on our part to secure a good result.
The match kicked-off in the cool autumn night with an unusually low crowd on College Hill. Although, as is always the case, the Brown student population began gathering just minutes into the match, and formed a raucous and supportive noise to cheer the boys along.
It was an end-to-end affair throughout the opening skirmishes of this contest, with both teams having a share of the ball and testing the defences. Both stood strong until the 15th minute, when a speculative effort from 25 yards was uncharacteristically fumbled by the previously robotically-efficient Grandstrand, and the Hoosiers #10 gleefully knocked the rebound goalwards. Despite a magnificent effort by Evan to clear the ball off the line, the linesman had already made his mind up and given the goal. 1-0 Hoosiers, and our first goal conceded on the season. Was it over the line? More irony to follow……
The first time a team concedes a goal can tell you much about the character and mental capabilities of that group. Do they go into a shell? Do they concede another goal quickly afterwards? Or do they respond with a determination to set the record straight and recover from the blip? Well, you can guess how these Bears responded….
Indiana were buoyed by the goal and played some decent stuff over the next 10-15 minutes, but our defence stood resolute, and slowly we started to exert pressure of our own. Gaps began to appear and the visiting ‘keeper made two excellent saves. Just before half-time it seemed that we’d leveled the match as Jay squeezed the ball over the line at the back post. However, the linesman had failed to see the ball clearly cross the line and Indiana hacked it clear. A 1-0 halftime deficit was a harsh reflection on 45 minutes that had seen these feisty Bears more than match their esteemed opponents…
The half-time talk wasn’t time for panic or screaming and yelling. Calm words from Coach Laughlin kept the boys on an even keel, and just a few minutes into the second half our pressure paid off as T-Mac buried a shot into the Indiana goal… The second half developed into a pulsating contest as both teams went for the game winner. Our boys enjoyed the lions share of possession for a 20 minute spell without getting that elusive goal….
Just as it seemed that the match was headed into extra time up popped our resident Canadian to grab the winner. As Sean bore down on goal he evaded the onrushing ‘keeper and squeezed a shot towards goal from an acute angle. Cue delirium….
As much as these Hoosiers huffed and puffed, Robertson, McDuff and the rest of our defensive unit stood strong and resolute. The final whistle blew and it was all over. The seven-time national champions departed college hill knowing that they had simply been beaten by the better team……
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Blah....
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....
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....
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....
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