After a tough road loss to the University of New Hampshire, 1-0, BMS was energized and motivated to bounce back in a Saturday night match-up against Ivy League foes Princeton. With a record of 3-1-1 at Stevenson, we were looking to get another positive result at home and there to support us, were the Ivy League Champions of 1963 who would be honored at halftime. The team of 63' was the first Brown team to win an Ivy League Championship since it's official forming during the 1956-1957 season.
(Coach Cliff Stevenson-Middle, Associate Athletic Director Bob Kenneally-Left, Athletic Director Jack Hayes-Right)
DJ Daniel Taylor worked the beats to set the right pre-game locker room mindset and before we knew it, we were on our way out for warm up. Passes were as crisp as the fall air and the team was focused for the upcoming battle.
GAMETIME! A whistle from the ref and we’re off. Princeton started the game strong and with a large portion of possession, but the team fought to weather the storm and began to respond with offensive chances of our own – produced off a slew of corner kicks, free kicks and shots in the run of play. Late in the half, Tyler Long nearly scored his first collegiate goal as the goalie tipped his header up and over the crossbar. Pepe Salama also had a dangerous shot on goal.
(The Spanish heart throb "El Diablo" looks for goal in the first half.)
The half ended at 0-0, and it was time for the Brown Men’s Soccer team of 1963 to be honored. To call them legends is an understatement and to play in front of them was an honor. The BMS tradition is a timeless one and having a chance to meet past players makes us realize we are a part of something much bigger than ourselves. Tenacity, toughness, accountability, and pride have been a part of the BMS mentality for 50+ years and now that we are in the midst of Ivy League play, it is more important than ever that we play with that mindset. The legendary coach Cliff Stevenson was also in attendance. With the ups and downs of the second half and overtime to come, the BMS focus and resolve could be seen consistently.
(Brown Men's Soccer 1963 Ivy League Champions 21 of the 30 Members of the team present)
The second half was another 45 minute battle with back and forth play. Alex Markes kept Cameron Porter of Princeton in his back pocket for all 110 minutes and Josh Weiner made some tremendous saves on dangerous Princeton chances, keeping them scoreless. Collective play up top from our midfield and forwards resulted in opportunities of our own, but we could not find the back of the net.
(1st year Mike Leone and Junior Alex Markes bread the sandwich of Princeton's Porter while Senior Josh Weiner steals the cheese.)
In overtime, Pepe hit a banger off the crossbar from 30 yards out to nearly win the game and a costly goalkeeping mistake by Princeton almost led to the game winner for Brown in the second period of overtime. The game would come to end in a 0-0 draw, giving Brown their second tie in two Ivy League Games. Every men's soccer contest on saturday went on to be decided in over time.
We continue chasing our 21st Ivy League Championship at Harvard on Saturday, 10/19.
(Princeton's GK taking a seat after a blast in over time sails sky high after contact with the cross bar)
With Love,
Timmer Tammers
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