Last Out Of Conference Game a Showdown with the Team from Title Town...

When facing a team in the ACC you always know what you can expect… A battle. With lots of experience (college & international), and some of the best skill in the country ACC teams are no joke. For these reasons we always look forward to the Boston College game every year. It may not be a conference game, but it is certainly one of the more important games of the year. 

This past weekend we showed we could beat Cornell, who was a team that doesn’t play soccer but tries to just win off of pure athleticism and set pieces. But against BC we know that we are in for a real soccer game. It was a totally new challenge that we wanted to prove we could handle just as well. 

The game started and right away we saw the difference between the two teams. Crisp passing, movement, both Brown and BC were showing some soccer the way it is supposed to be played. BC might've been the most technical team we had played all year and we knew to beat them we’d have to keep the ball moving as well. 

 

And low and be hold who better to score than the dazzling Spaniard Pepchino early in the first half. Daniel Taylor sliced and diced through defenders with his pigeon-toed feet splashing in the rubber pellets of the turf only to dish the ball off to Pepe at the perfect moment for the finish.

Followed gorgeously by Tyler Long who opened an account with the collegiate scoring bank with a shot he buried just under the crossbar after picking the pocket of a BC defender and receiving a pass from Senior Escalona. Tyler Long celebrates after scoring while waving to his family watching at home.

 Even with a two goal lead we couldn’t take a break because BC is a true attacking threat at any time. Without a few clutch saves from Weiner and some post hits they could have easily recovered from the 2-0 deficit before half. The second half was just as intense with both sides trying to get that next goal. We were able to keep the clean sheet until 40 seconds left in the game when a cross floated from the right was deflected in to stop the shutout, but by then it was too late for the Golden Eagles who now dropped below .500 thanks to us. 

It was a well fought game with the whole team playing well and some key players stepping up. JL is filling into his new position well and had a great performance along with the rest of the back line. Nate Pomeroy & Voltaire might not have scored but they were just as crucial to our success.

 This game proves that we can compete with any team in the country and we would like to keep the streak alive so come out this Saturday and support your favorite Bears as we look to take down the Penn Quakers.

-The B-Squad (DT, Tom, Ben, Mitch, Alex)

Big Red, Meet Big Brown Bear...

An early departure from campus on Friday meant many of the guys were lucky enough to miss some afternoon classes (excused absences, of course). We hit the road at around 12pm, with some chicken fingers from the V-Dub and tons of snacks provided by Coach Jason. We also had Jack Hayes, the athletic director at Brown, traveling with us, so each guy was on his very best behavior, including Coach Laughlin. The trip up to Ithaca, New York is a very long one, so we split it up, stopping in beautiful Albany to get a quick training session in. We weren’t really in the heart of the city of Albany, but more in the rural, upstate New Yorkish area. We finally arrived at the soccer complex about 3-4 hours into the trip and finally were able to get off the bus and stretch our legs a bit. Training went well, with the classic one touch game ending in a not-so-classic way. Coach Laughlin joined in this time and ended the game with some quick one-two passing with Edu, followed by a toe poke goal and celebration that ended on the ground with him taking his cleats off and demanding “GAME OVER.”

            

We all quickly changed out of our cleats and shinnys and grabbed a Panera sandwich as we got back on the bus. The rest of the trip consisted of Oceans 11 and 12 and felt almost twice as long as the first half of it. FINALLY, after twisting and turning through the slim streets of Cornell’s campus and of the city of Ithaca, we arrived at our hotel. We ended the night with some pizza and some thoughts on Cornell and we all got into bed focused on the game to come. 

  

We knew that the game at Cornell would be a difficult task, as playing an Ivy League opponent that has an average height of 6 feet 9 inches always is, especially at their home field. When we took the field it was a balmy 39 degrees. From the first whistle Cornell was right on top of us trying to transform the game into their kickball type game that they like to play, trying to get as many set pieces, throw-ins and second chance knock-down opportunities from those as possible. In the opening 44 and a half minutes we were outshot by Cornell, but with 20 seconds left in the half we broke though. DT sent a beautiful ball into Tariq and he snuck it right inside of the near post. Mayhem ensued. After a tense 20 seconds, we made it into half time with a 1-0 lead.

           

 We prepared ourselves at half-time for the barrage of long-balls and difficult play that we knew was ahead of us in the second half, and dug back in. Despite being outshot 25-5 on the game, we held tough in the back and did what Brown Men’s Soccer has become synonymous with doing: “Defending the Alamo”. We blocked a ton of shots and pulled a few balls off of the line to preserve the shutout. In the end, we were able to walk away from the field with our heads held high, getting our first road victory of the season. 

  

The victory against Cornell felt truly rewarding. After saluting our fans, we headed off the field into the locker room.

After showering and packing all our gear, we all headed to the bus, where some of our most faithful supporters were awaiting us with some yummy sandwiches and other pastries for the long trip back. Once in the bus and ready to go home, the guys started to search for a comfortable position that would allow them to get some rest. Some of the most experienced guys brought their own pillows from home, while others were using their thick winter coats instead. After a short period of repose, the action came back to the bus. After such an important victory, it was by no means time to go to sleep yet. The T squad (sophomores) gathered around Tariq’s seat and started the chat, everyone in the bus was awake by now. Soon after that, some of the members of the team delighted us with some of the best music performances ever seen. Tom Arns absolutely won the conquest, whilst coach Nuss had a pretty disappointing showing; couldn’t handle the pressure and forgot some of the lyrics. Before getting back to Browntown, we watched Oceans 13, finally finishing the whole saga.

The team is now ready to host Penn at Stevenson on Saturday at 4pm, thank you very much to all of our supporters!!

Jack, Josh and Pepe

BMS Welcomes Brown's First Ivy League Champions

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

A Point in the NYC

After a great Tuesday night 3-1 win at home over Boston University, excitement was high to finally start down that Ivy road with our first Ivy league game against Columbia. Wednesday brought new faces as Alex rejoined the squad under the pseudo-name “Jason, Masked man Markes.” Fortunately that name did not stick but he was happy to be back. After two days of tough practice and a Friday practice that saw Otis Booz win manager of the year in one-touch game for his half-time coaching genius/questionable decisions (sorry Nuss) we were on the Bus with our Hope Street Chick veggies and Chick Parms and off to New York.

The hotel was short and by the time Jason Pesek and Will Cross figured out who would be sleeping on the couch for the night we were already in our pregame gear headed to Columbia. It was a hot, steamy, and windless day in the Bronx and coupled with the no fan/AC locker room the team was already sweating before heading out. Being reminded to constantly drink water we warmed up to the usual away game mix of lack-luster pregame songs.  After suiting up in our jerseys, standing through opening ceremonies, and applauding for a Brown team with “Head Coach Patrick Laughlin assisted by Andrew Biggs and Ben Maurey” we were ready to go.

First half started off well with both teams moving the ball, attacking, and fouling. Off of a foul in their half a ball was whipped in and found the head at our bowlegged Bruno Daniel Taylor we were quickly up 1-0 15 minutes into the game. The tempo stayed high as Brown stayed alert. Shortly after the first goal a ball played into the channel found our Egyptian Prince Tariq Akeel who effortlessly took on his defender cut it back on to his left and sent in a dipping curving cross…which he will call a shot because amazingly it dipped over the keeper and curled into the far side net. 2-0 Brown.

We knew Columbia would be relentless and before halftime on a few mental errors in the back we gave them back to back corners and on the second they capitalized off a header to make it 2-1.  Instantly the energy level rose and we knew they would keep battling. We matched their intensity but just before the half  the game was tied up on a counter attack finished low into the corner.

The game continued for another tense 45 minutes with the Defense not budging, Pesek whipping in left footed daggers, and the forwards pressuring their backs into countless mistakes but neither team could seem to get that final touch to finish off the game. Two periods of overtime went the wayside as well as the final score ended Brown 2 Columbia 2. Both teams tired from 110 minutes in the blistering heat and were rushed off the field for the start of the Women’s game v Columbia. 

All in all a solid away result for the team as Columbia is never an easy place to play and it starts our Ivy league journey out on a  good foot. With a day of rest and an early morning practice on Monday we look ahead to win the mid-week battle at UNH to keep our current energy streak going into next  Saturday’s huge Ivy League Home opener versus one of a vaunted Ivy League Rivals Princeton. But Everyone knows a Bear would crush a Tiger if it had the chance, well that’s what we got next week.

Let’s go get em Boys

Markes

BU

JW PK Save:

This game was a much needed win for the team, especially given the fact that we had struggled on the road against Indiana and Butler the weekend prior. For the week against Marist, it was important that our team put together a “complete” performance, on both sides of the ball. We suffered some upsetting results early on in the season and our team needed to get back in the winning column. I think we accomplished what we set out to do against Marist, as our offense scored five goals and our defense held the Red Foxes to a shutout. The week leading up to this game was an intense week, where we relentlessly tried to further establish our team identity. We focused on getting better as a group and trying to improve before Ivy play.

Overall, I would say we did a good job bouncing back from our road upsets and clinching a victory that Friday. It was great to see so many of our strikers find the back of the net, as Jose Salama, Tariq Akeel, Nate Pomeroy, and Tommy Arns all had success going forward. Defensively, it was great to see our defense get a shut-out and hold Marist to very limited attempts. Mitchell Kupstas even got some goal time! This game definitely gave us a boost of confidence before playing Boston University and starting off our Ivy season. As a team, we know we are capable of success and it was great to have the ability to showcase this success against Marist.

The wind has picked up in our sails, and we are trying to take it as far as we can. Following the win against Marist, we finished off Boston University a few days later in a three to one victory. This game against Boston University was a crucial contest, as it was our first test to see how we would respond after defeating Marist. Were we content with one victory, or could we get two in a row? As a whole, I believe we responded well to the game against Boston University. Pulling off back-to-back home game wins was important for the team’s morale because it allowed a foundation to be built on. This foundation has given us support just in time for Ivy League play.

Scoring eight goals and only allowing one goal in the last two games before our first Ivy League game is a success that our team needs to carry on. Right now, our team is feeling more confident and we are going to carry this confidence into our first Ivy League game, against Columbia, TONIGHT!

-Tommy Arns

Bring On The Terriers...

After a stretch of 3 tough road games in New York and scenic Indiana, Brown Men’s soccer returned to our home turf this week to regroup for our next match against Marist University. Although Marist usually isn’t a game highlighted on the schedule, the boys knew this game had to be a statement. With results not going our way, it was time for us to stand our ground. For the next week of practice, Marist was all there ever was, it was the most important game of our season.

From a cold dark Tuesday morning to a clear Thursday night, we put in a tireless and concentrated effort. Whether we were working on our shape, honing our skills, or running end line to end line again and again, there was no feeling sorry for ourselves only a hunger. A drive to win. There are few stronger motivations than upholding the tradition of Brown Men’s Soccer.

A wise man would not approach a bear backed into a corner… A small chill of an otherwise perfect night under the lights at none other than Stevenson field was the setting of Friday night’s game. Not the largest of Brown soccer crowds, but a strong parent contingent kept the air buzzing with Brown pride. It seemed like names were still being announced and the reserve one touch game had yet to declare a winner, before Brown was already knocking down Marist’s door. Our pressure proved a problem early forcing a late tackle from a Marist defender awarding Brown a penalty kick in the first 5 minutes. A mother sending her last kid to college is a good analogy for how Voltaire looked giving up the ball to Pepe to take the penalty kick, but all worries were instantly abided once Pepe’s deft run up sent the keeper diving the wrong way. 1-0 Brown! 

Now if you’re familiar at all with Brown Men’s Soccer you’re saying to yourself “Might as well settle in, belt my pants up, and get ready for some hard knocking defend the Alamo defense as we grind this 1-0 win out.” Well you’d be corr- completely wrong! Not 3 minutes later, Jack G-Baby Gorab sent a beautiful free kick set between the Marist keeper and Tariq Akeel. I know who my money is on.  Tariq Akeel heads home his first career goal. After many close calls last season, the ribs of Tariq not being able to score in a real game are over. Sorry Ben! He wasn’t done either. At this point there were murmurs along the Brown sideline “Wouldn’t it be crazy, if we scored every 5 minutes?” well in the 13^th minute Voltaire (feeling extra generous after relinquishing the pk) offered one of his more stylish assists, ally-ooping a header off the crossbar for –you guessed it-  Tariq to send into the net. It must have taken all the composure in the world for the coaching staff to fight back their smiles as they set to work reeling us in to play a focused game… with good measure there were still 75 minutes left! But the Brown Bears ever true kept fighting on. As the old men began to tire out in the closing minutes of the half, the next goal came from a freshmen connection Jason WonderTouch Pesek to NateBro Pomeroy for Pesek’s 2^nd assist and Nate’s first goal of the year. 4-0 halftime, not too shabby. 

It’s not easy to keep intensity after 4-0, luckily it’s also not easy to create intensity when you’re down 0-4. After a short-lived surge by Marist to open the half Brown’s defense settled in and took control and Brown resumed its onslaught. It was about the 80^th minute when someone realized: There are no Juniors on the scorecard! The Junior class immediately realized their folly and Dan Taylor drove a long ball into the box for a classy one touch finish from Tom Arns to send Marist home with a 5-0 defeat. A cool and collected performance earned the back line and a shared performance by Josh Weiner and Mitch Kupstas, their second shutout of the season as well as some valuable playing time for the entire “healthy” team.

While the victory was sweet, it was back to business the very next day for Brown Men’s soccer. A good win, but it won’t be Marists in our way as we claw uphill towards the post season. Our eyes’ now train on Boston University as they come to town Tuesday night. Will we see flashes of pale white like last year? One can only hope!

Signing out.. Mitch Kupstas

Contests in the Mid-West

It was time for the big trip of the year and this year we were going out to Indiana to play last year’s national champion IU and then the butler bulldogs. We all knew Indiana would be a challenging game but we also learned that butler would be just as tough. They recently beat Louisville and would be well rested while we had a game Friday night. With all this knowledge we pulled out of Brown knowing it was going to be a battle this weekend. So how did we prepare ourselves once the bus pulled out of the OMAC parking lot? We slept…then ate…then slept…then ate. This pattern went on for the whole day. We slept on the bus to Boston then ate in the terminal while waiting for our flight. We then slept on the flight to Atlanta, got off the plane and grabbed something to eat then quickly passed out for the flight to Indiana. We then drove to our hotel, which was very nice and glad to have us. Jameson was immediately banned from the complimentary cookies so he was a bit saddened but everyone else seemed rested and ready to go. That night we had the best hotel meal I have had in my entire life. Again Jameson was a bit hurt because he was banned from the dessert part of the meal but since the food was so great he got over it quickly.  We did the typical scout after dinner then hurried off to bed since we were very exhausted from all the sleeping and eating we had been doing that day.

            It was finally game day and everyone was excited. We woke up had a great breakfast (this hotel was truly killin it with the food…my kind of place) then went off for a training session. The session ended with a 1-touch volleyball game. The Martin Movement put up a good fight against the Blueberry Waffles but the Waffles ended up winning by 2 games to 1 off of some very questionable referee calls by Coach Biggs and some unwarranted ejections in crucial moments by Coach Laughlin. Then it was time to rest and get ready for the big game that night.

            The game was a great atmosphere with a beautiful stadium, a band, loud crowd, and two good teams. . I can tell you though that the second half was the best soccer we have played this year. We had Indiana on their heels the entire second half. They couldn’t get the ball out of their half. Finally Jason Pesek came on and served in a beautiful ball and Pepechino’ (Jose Salama) netted the ball with a beautiful header.  Unfortunately Indiana countered and scored within the next minute and despite our continued attack we just couldn’t get another. We may have lost to Indiana but we saw the potential our team had.  We then had to focus on getting a lot of fluids and food and to start recovery for the next game.

            The next day was a very typical recovery day consisting of a lot of eating, light practicing, drinking, resting and nothing of much interest. We did go have a light practice at Butler’s facility and did change hotels but those were about the only times we left our hotel rooms for more than an hour. We had a team dinner and film later that night. Jason as always killed it with his clips during film and Coach Nuss once again proved he had a skill for getting us food we truly enjoyed while keeping it all under budget. That night consisted of going to the local gas station to stock up on Gatorades and then watching Bridesmaid to get mentally ready for the game the next day.

            The butler game did not go as well as the Indiana game, which was disappointing after showing so much potential against IU. There isn’t much to say about the game other than the fact that we lost 3-0. We can say it was because of fatigue or maybe just an all around poor team effort but it just wasn’t our day. After this we boarded the bus to start our journey home. Once again the pattern of sleep, then eat, then sleep again took over until we finally pulled into the OMAC parking lot to end our trip at 1 AM. We didn’t get the 2 wins that we were hoping for but we did show some great potential and we had some excellent individual efforts which are both two positives things that came out of the trip. I think this trip will benefit our play greatly and will help us to get some big time wins once we start playing Ivy League teams. 

-Ben Maurey