Senior Day.. The Bomb Squad

Bomb squad senior night. Never thought I’d really have to utter those words. Having always been in that line cheering on my upperclassmen, it would be our turn to get the chance in the limelight, with flowers, surrounded by family and friends to celebrate our last game on legendary Stevenson field.

 But before getting to that moment we had to battle through an intense week of practice. Coming off a tough 1-1 tie with Penn, legs were still tired and minds foggy when the 6am bell rang for practice Tuesday morning. As I was walking up with the Egyptian prince Tariq Akeel he asked the chances we run today. I looked at him and said of course I don’t want to run but it wouldn’t be a BMS Tuesday if we didn’t. 

Low and behold after warmup and chippy 5v5 keep away we were on the line for a 20 minute pride run. After which we played a full 11 aside match with first team all- fitness member CROD still having the energy to make full field right mid field streaks after vocally challenging Tariq and speedy, bowlegged dtdanieltaylor to catch him during the fitness. With somewhat heavy legs during the week, we battled through 3 more intense practices that included a lot of tough but enjoyable short sided transition games (5-4 then 4-3 type style).

Fast forward to game time. Standing on the side of the field with my mom and pop who’d flown 300 miles on a red to see my last game on Stevenson was surreal. It was one of those rare moments where you are really forced to stop and take everything you’ve done into context. Two NCAA tournament appearances, and ivy league ring, the battle with penn in the tundra in 2011, multiple sub-freezing wall runs, and enough yelling of ‘LETS GO BOYS’ to damage the vocal chords of Taylor Swift (Shout out to Dylan Remick). After an emotional moment it was time to switch to game-mode. 

We came out strong stringing passes, taking shots and chipping long balls when needed in true BMS fashion. Sometimes we were a little too casual but either way the game was in a deadlock 0-0 at halftime. The tying goal would be one of the more ridiculous of the year. After a long pass by Gorab was sent to their goalie, will decided to give chase and pressure. The goalie who hesitated between bombing it and cutting the ball shanked it right to Mr. Maurey who hit a first time shot towards the goal. Ben will argue it was dipping in but either way the “quickly rising” (to say it nicely) shot was deflected by the bumbling keeper perfectly over a retreating defender and into the net. 1-0 Brown. After a quick selfie on the sideline and 15 more minutes of play we had officially won our last game on Stevenson, with a 1-0 shutout.  How appropriate.

Thank you to all who have supported us at home this year and in the past. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Sincerely,

Markes 

Taking it to the Quakers..

The forecast looked gloomy as we all sat in the high-rise hotel, looking down on the city of Philadelphia. We were waiting to go and eat our exotic, authentic Italian meal prepared by Olive Garden.  Penn was going to be a good team, but we were prepared. We had taken care of our bodies and been scraped hard by Manny. We had taken ice baths and not contracted MRSA. We had conquered the pride runs.  And we had read the scouts, which helped.

Our warm up was sharp and intense; the ball was going to skip on the slick surface and it was an ideal night for two-footed tackles.  As the starting whistle blew, the Bears looked to knock the oatmeal right out of the Quakers.  We were immediatley put under pressure; against the wind, and under constant threat from Duke LaCroix, a premier physical specimen and superb athlete, and their CAM, Clancy, who was sporting a small pony tail (likely taken from an actual pony).

We were down 1-0 after a very questionable penalty decision by a referee that appeared to have at least one glass eye.  LaCroix slotted home about midway through the first half.  Freshman and notably talented piccolo musician Gabe Welp went down hard after narrowly heading over a corner kick. He appeared to have completely lost his arm, but it turned out that he suffered a minor injury.  

 We had the confidence we needed to take the game to Penn, and we did just that by forcing them back into their end and snatching a goal off a corner.  Jack Gorab put in a great ball which was attacked seductively by the dashing Will Cross to level the score.  

After a stirring halftime speech by Coach Laughlin, we came out on fire and ready to take the game to them, this time with the wind. We had countless opportunities to win the game in regulation but in the end we were unable to finish.  The final whistle blew and then came overtime.  

These overtime periods, unlike the ones we had earlier in the season, were filled with opportunities.  Tariq Akelle (Aqueel, Akle?), Will Cross, Nico Lozada and Eric Sugarman all came close to sealing the W for the Bears, but the game ended in a draw. Penn, distraught with being knocked out of contention for the championship, had a group crying session on the field after the whistle.  We were pleased to get a point on the road, and maybe a little disappointed to not get anything more.  Yale looks to be a challenging team, so let's see what comes next.  

Yours truly, 

James "Rodriguez" My-all

Revenge for the Bears...

Before the season commences, we always meet as a team to review our schedule. During this meeting, the high intensity contests: University of South Florida, Florida Gulf Coast, and the Ivy league opponents are all highly anticipated. This year, however, we identified a different type of contest that posed the most unassuming challenge to our season. These games are defined as matchups against talented, non-conference opponents towards the end of the season, a time when the Ivy League season takes precedence. 

Last year, we had mixed results in these games, wins against Boston College and Boston University, but a disappointing loss at the University of New Hampshire. On Tuesday evening, we were determined to not allow our level drop as we strived for another positive result against a regional rival and a team who had beaten us last year. The guys came out for warm-ups with vigor on Tuesday night, knowing we would be reliant on our own energy on this chilly Tuesday night against The University of New Hampshire.

We came out with a strong starting eleven. Many of the traditional starters once again began the game, but an opportunity to start was given to Sophomore Jason Pesek (also my suitemate).

The game began with a lot of confident attacking soccer. We showed a lot of positive movement from the midfield as crisp passes were connected all over the field. Eduardo Martin represented a strong holding presence in the middle of the park while Pesek and right back, Alex Markes, consistently completed passes into wingers and forwards. Mid-way through the first half, our high percentage of possession was rewarded with a big chance. Quinn English produced another spectacular long throw, ultimately headed in by Louis Zingas, but the goal was denied due to a questionable foul call. The first half ended with a continuance of possession domination, but we could not find the back of the net. The first half ended 0-0.

The second half began in a similar fashion to how the first half ended. We continued to control ball possession, but chances were few due to a well-organized New Hampshire defense. Despite numerous substitutions, it was difficult to find a goal throughout the whole half. The end of regulation finished with the score still at 0-0.

Extra-time has begun to feel almost customary to us at this point, with six extra-time appearances already in the 2014 season. This time, though, things felt different. There was a feeling on the sidelines, an understanding that this time the ball would roll our way. Overtime began with a great run by Jack Gorab that resulted in a top save from the New Hampshire Goalkeeper and a clearance for a throw-in. Quinn English once again summoned up his long-throw and Will Cross rose early to meet the ball with his head and guide it into the top corner. Less than a minute into overtime, and the game was over. Brown 1, New Hampshire 0.

Spirits in the locker room were high after the win, we look forward to the upcoming trip to Philadelphia.

 C-ROD

Big Red

After a long battle against Harvard, the guys knew that Cornell was a must win. It was a week of classic Providence weather. Every practice was dark, rainy and windy. That didn't stop us from keeping the level high. I felt like it almost made us push each other harder.

Saturday was here soon enough, and with game day came warm weather. We were knew what was at stake. We got to the locker room and in each locker there was a piece of paper, with a message for each player. It got everyone in the right mindset. I later found out another teammate took it upon himself to put the messages in the lockers. It was inspirational, and just shows just how much we care about our success. 

In the first half, for the most part, we played our game. Jack Gorab and Ben Maurey's double "give and go" was, in my opinion, one of the best plays of the year nearly resulted in a goal. We created 3 great opportunities, including one that was called back by the referee for being an "indirect kick that went in." First time I've ever seen that happen.  With 13 or so minutes left to play cornel put one in from the top of the box. We were disappointed but we were ready to keep fighting.

And so we did. The second half was an absolute battle. We countered them, they countered us. As time ticked away, we pushed our wingers forward. Loui Zingas made a great back post run back post of Quinn's long throw. Unfortunately it was called back due to a foul.  

It is in the final moments of a game, when you really see a team's character. I was proud that at no moment did we give up and stop fighting. Unfortunately, it was not our day. In proper BMS fashion, we kept our heads high, thanked the fans, and went back to the drawing board, to prepare for our next fight. 

DT