Pulling Together

After enjoying a much-needed day off on Monday, we began to look forward to the challenge we were going to face on Friday, with a “bright and early” 7am Tuesday practice followed by our first team lift. The lifting coaches, aware that we had two big games coming up, kept it light, with multiple high repetition, low weight lunging and squatting exercises. Some of the underclassman were sore in some “new” areas, but they will get used to it soon enough.

The week went on with each practice incorporating another area of focus in preparation for the game against the Washington on Friday.

On Wednesday, I got a call from Big Ben Maurey: “hey man, I’ve got some news… I don’t know how to put this… but I’m CLEARED TO PLAY FRIDAY!!” It was a joyous moment to hear that one of our leaders would be back on the field.  Our team was close to 100% healthy.

It was Friday. We knew the #10 opponent, Washington, that just tied UCONN, was going to be a tough opponent. Thankfully the rain from the night before had subsided, and the Sun had come out so we hoped for another big crowd. Pregame meal was the usual mix of jokes, focused faces, and ratty pasta. Once the players hit the locker-room, it was all business. This was a few of the “post injury players’” (myself included), first home game, and I think we all were a bit nervous, excited, and everything in between.

The whistle blew, and as if in one motion, Jack Gorab “G-babe” hit a cross to Pepe Salama , who headed it towards the near post, and Voltaire touched it in. Unfortunately, the sideline referee thought Pepe or Voltaire was off sides and called the goal back. We were pissed to say the least but we all had to get our mind focused on the next play. The half went on with a lot of defending of their 50+ yard flip throw. As the half was coming to a close, Washington was able to sneak in a goal from a corner. 

The second half was another game. We came at them with all that we had. Tariq Akeel had a header off the cross bar. Pepe nearly had free kick goal that the keeper just got with tips of his fingers. We did our best to scrap for a tying goal, but unfortunately we couldn’t find the back of the net. We battled and for that I am proud.

Once we left the locker room on Friday, our minds switched to the next opponent. Saturday practice consisted of a small-sided game with players who didn’t get as much time on Friday, and a 20-minute cool down run for the rest. After practice the travel list was posted, we grabbed some lunch, and hit the road. BMS bus rides always are a place where memories are created. The bus ride started off with a freshman Christian Rodriguez “C-rod” telling the whole team a joke. It was strictly “an attempt” at a joke (sorry C-rod), but Coach Kevin saved the day with a well-executed, classy jest. That night at the hotel we prepped for Sunday’s game and got some rest.

Kickoff. We came out strong in the first half. Getting our first, first half goal from G-babe, with a nice poke in from a bouncing ball in the box. We were able to close the half and prevent them from getting a goal.

The second half was spent doing more defending then anything else. They scored from a cross towards the middle of the second half. We held on till overtime. Overtime came and we battled through the first half. With 3 minutes left in the second overtime, their left midfielder hit a curving shot that deflected and found the bottom left corner.

We have more to work on and will hit the ground running Tuesday in preparation for Indiana. BMS has always been about never giving up on our goals and finding our identity in the face of adversity. Coming off two tough loses this weekend and headed out to play Indiana its time to truly put the motto to the test and get a result against Indiana.

Time to put in that work,

Daniel Taylor