New York...for the fourth time this season. The most comfortable trip to the city we took because from previous experience we knew what we were getting into. After viewing the final chapter of the Star Wars trilogy (as requested by the team and reluctantly accepted by the staff) we arrived at the hotel. An exclusive BMS buffet awaited us and the boy's dug in'. Ecstatic to be off the bus and eating again there was a positive energy surging through the room. Shortly after we all took our seats a figure from the past pleasantly surprised the team; Greg Miller showed up in fashionable style. The boys' lit up when they saw Greg, a reminder of past seasons’ success. Post-meal we studied our opponent (again).
Arising from a full night of hibernation the boys’ looked lively after some much needed rest. They hit the breakfast buffet hard forcing the hotel staff to replenish each dish on several occasions. Then we entered the “dead period”. From breakfast til’ lunch, biding our time to pre-game meal. Then finally it was upon us and we were boarding the bus for yet another delicious Italian dish.
We arrived at St. John’s ready to rock n’ roll. The timing of our arrival was perfect, plenty to prepare. Our locker room’s temperature was conveniently set at 88 degrees, didn’t bother the boys’, in fact it seems as though the perform better with the odds stacked against them…so thanks for the help.
Bruno took the field like they owned the place deflecting the home team’s attacks over and over again. We found ourselves defending against a very quick and talented team for significant periods of time, however, we got our opportunities and we made them count recording close to equal amounts of SOG. The boys’ were fighting through bumps and bruises defining the difference between being hurt and being injured. Three dislocated shoulders, some plantar fasciitis, shin splints, scar tissue, pulled hamstrings, stress fractures and pulled back muscles…just a few of the injuries on the list that the Bears were battling through. All of that being said Bruno entered the second half even at 0-0.
Just minutes into the second segment Remick made yet another overlapping run down the sideline, lost the ball, then won it back again. He beat a defender easily and played the 7’5’ 300 pound freshman Maurey down the sideline. Ben beat Lade and shortened his distance to the goal with a soft first touch. Making his way to the endline he slotted the ball back to Remick who buried it into the back of the Red Storm’s net. Brown 1 St. John’s 0. After the Storm proved their frustration with a red card shortly thereafter it seemed all but certain that the Bears would leave the city victorious. The team held down the “Alamo” (as they call it) and kept the lead til’ the final whistle. The boys’ were drunk with emotion, sprinting to the middle of the field just to enjoy the presence of their teammates as Bruno advanced to a historic round of 16 for the second consecutive year.
Upon the result it was time for the staff to start planning for our next opponent. Unfortunately the game wasn’t being played for another 3 hours. We waited impatiently for the result. Shortly after we arrived back in Providence we knew that we would be playing St. Mary’s…hopefully at home. But beyond that the team had accomplished another goal: to spend Thanksgiving together again.
Everyone got to Coach’s house good n’ early ready to feast. Each class was given the responsibility of bringing a dessert. The sophomores baked a pie (very nice), the juniors brought ice cream (easy but satisfying), the seniors brought cookies (half cooked by Manella and half store-bought), and the first-years brought this…
All of which was bought at the closest CVS, the presentation of the dish was too good to try, I’m sure it made a nice snack. As for the rest of the food everything was delicious. The staff and their significant others’ did an awesome job. As you can see the guys’ ate a lot:
Which led to some post-meal napping...
The boys’ loved it and left with a full stomach…
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