Preseason to Present - From the view of Senior Bear: Evan Coleman

After a long summer of anticipation the season is once again upon us, bringing with it a solid, unified squad of returners, an eager freshmen class, and two new additions to the coaching staff. Sam Groves joins us after an illustrious career at the University of Hartford, while Jason Burnett completes the list, traveling to Brown from the green boonies of UVM where he served as an assistant and goalie coach for the past season. Sadly we also bid a fond farewell to Gregg “the great” Miller and wish him all the best at his new head coaching position at Manhattanville College. (Though still, the unanswered question hangs heavy in the air and echoes through the locker room “who was the true Megwars champion?”)

            After an impressive height, weight and body fat showing including an unprecedented 3% drop by Mitch “Cupcake” Kupstas in a matter of days (no doubt making use of Rob’s healthy-foods-with-terrible-consequences diet), the boys were off to the track for the eagerly-awaited 3 mile. There were strong performances all around as the sweating masses of BMS ran lap after lap, dodging angry but highly competitive elderly runners, managing the tight, dew-laden turns deftly and finishing with a bang (or perhaps a hard splat depending on your exhaustion level.) Other highlights included Tommy “It’s-a-bird, it’s-a-plane, no-it’s-a-tomato” Arns’ 1:05 first lap, an appearance by legendary keeper and beloved robot Paul “Wall” Grandstand, and of course the fact that the long awaited Joga Bonita could finally begin.

            Though sessions proved hot and humid, the boys took to the fields with energy and enthusiasm as bit by bit the team regained confidence and solidified, battling with the good-natured competitiveness that has cemented itself as the standard for training over the years. Though touches were rusty at times and a few studs showed up imprinted in the calves of others, the hard work done in practices was always rewarded with delicious meals, laughable duo stretching techniques, and even a gift from Calvin to baptize the practice field. (FINE!).  

And then it was game time, well, at least scrimmage time, as the boys blasted pregame jams (“Con manos arriba….”) strapped on their boots, and set out onto good ole Stevenson once more to face the University of New Hampshire in a preseason friendly. The quality of play was solid for the majority of the game as the boys shook the rust from their boots and began connecting passes and creating opportunities. The predictable victory in possession fell to Brown as UNH resorted to the classic boot-the-crap-out-of-the-ball-and-run technique. Though the ref seemed to be one of the fittest people on the field, he was equally as quick with his whistle handing out two PKs over the course of the 90+ minutes without a second thought. The first a handball by young McNamara of UNH, (no doubt learning such tricks from a certain older brother). The second, a skirmish in our box, lead to a UNH player falling, (which Rob later, after much indecision, manned up to and admitted it had been Mcduff) as the PK sailed just passed the outstretched fingers of Alex “The Kiwi” Carr.

And so it was tied 1-1 in regulation, forcing the decision to penalties. After much deliberation five of our bravest stepped forward and took their shot including a near 3 for 3 save-score-save killer combo from the agile Cupcake, but the game ended 4-4 in pks. And with this history was made that day as for the first time a game was decided in pks… as a tie???

Though perhaps the desired result was not achieved, the scrimmage was nevertheless a step in the right direction for the squad, as the majority of players saw minutes and the team began to improve their chemistry and understanding for the coming months. After battling the elements (Irene) with great bravery the squad looks forward to yet another challenge as we head to Providence for the Rhode Island State Classic… stay tuned.

-BMS, “Stay Connected, One Team…”