Name: Courage The Nittany Lions

Our first Ivy League game of the season. Despite the importance of every game, there is always something special about every game played in the Ivy League. It seems as though the rivalry between Ivy teams creates an even better atmosphere; everyone runs a little bit harder, tackles a little bit stronger, and fights to prove their team deserves to be #1 this year. This season we’ve had our ups and downs; our win against Boston University and our loss against South Florida. But this was almost a fresh start for us, a chance to qualify to the NCAA tournament through winning the Ivy League.

           

Columbia is a good team regardless of their year’s success or failure, so we knew that is was going to be a hard fought game. Their game plan was to control the midfield, as their center mids did a good job of moving the ball and switching the field.  From the opening minutes, that’s what we looked to do. We looked to make the lives of Columbia’s defenders uncomfortable, and the boys did just that. In the first half, we looked to be the better of the teams, in which our movement was rewarding with a couple chances at goal. One such chance was the best sequence of play I have ever seen in college soccer. Jack Gorab received the ball, where he passed to Eduardo Martin, who then one-timed a pass to Daniel Taylor, who then played it back to Eduardo Martin, from which he played a magisterial one-timed pass across the box to Jack Gorab. Jack then tried a one-time shot that was unluckily hit straight at the keeper.

            That sequence summed up the first half for Brown, despite a Columbia chance off a free kick that was hit wide, as well as header from Daniel Taylor that went just wide. When the half time whistle blew, we knew going into the locker room that we could win this game. Coach told us what we needed to do, and that we needed to keep fighting in order to win the game. As the second half progressed, Columbia started finding more rhythm in their play, which resulted in them getting some shots on goal as well as some shots wide. Mitch Kupstas made some nice saves, in which all five shots on goal throughout the game were saved by him.

The rain was coming down on and off throughout the game, making it an even better environment to play in. Despite the rain, some of the men’s wrestling team showed up to show their support, proving their allegiance to the men’s soccer team in which they haven’t missed a single home game this season. As the game progressed, the play between the teams who were both fighting for a goal became a little chippy, resulting in a combination of 26 fouls throughout the game. There were chances created on both sides of the pitch, causing fans and players alike to get more anxious as it looked like the game was going into overtime. That was until, in the 88^th minute when the team fought hard to get a corner. Jack Gorab put in a great curling ball into the box that reached Daniel Taylor at the back post, who headed back across the box into the sea of Columbia and Brown players. The ball bounced around before captain Ben Maurey got a foot on it and buried it into the back of the net. The whole team ran to the bench to celebrate with them, with Jack Gorab sliding into the side lines.

The game personified what Brown Men’s Soccer is all about: we fight together until the final whistle. Throughout the game, we never gave up and fought for each other on and off the pitch. It didn’t matter how the goal happened, it was the fact that we took advantage of our chance in the dying minutes, and we were able to put away a very good Columbia team in the first Ivy League game of the season. This was also our fourth game without giving a single goal-credit is deserved to the defense and Mitch- as well as a great way to start the Ivy League season. This weekend we will continue fighting for the Ivy League title away at Princeton on October 11^th at 4:00 P.M. Please tune into the Ivy League Network to watch, or follow along to the live stats provided through the Brown Men’s Soccer Schedule page.

330 Minutes Straight of Shutout Soccer

After the afternoon training session at 1pm, we were given the travel roster and went over to Thayer Street to get some lunch.   After getting a nice Starbucks and chicken parm sandwich I headed back to the bus to set off on our journey.  Everyone was excited to be headed down to Fairfield for the game the next day and a lot of energy was present even though it was very hot for an end of September weekend in CT.  

  After the initial excitement on the bus, it quieted down as everyone pulled out their notebooks and started studying.  I sat next to a teammate who was in the same Methods of Social Research Class, in which we had a test on the upcoming Monday.  After studying for 20 minutes or so we decided to rest up and study more in the hotel that night.  At the hotel, we got our roommate assignments and settled in before dinner and watching some film on Fairfield. After the conclusion of our meeting, I went back up to my room to grab my studying materials and made my way down to the lobby to meet up with Erik to study for our test.  After studying for a couple hours, a group of people, clearly at the hotel for some sort of function, came over and started talking to us.  It happens that they were there for their 45^th high school anniversary and gave us some of the food that they had catered to the hotel.  After chatting for a bit, we headed to bed.  

The next day, everything was business.  Our energy, even as early as the 9 am team jog was good seeing that we had just played 110 minutes two nights ago.  The bus ride was short and allowed us time to prepare ourselves individually for the game.  The field was quite nice; it was grass with some signs of wear and tear but all in all, a quality pitch.  The game itself was one of little action as both of us failed to really break down each other’s back lines.  It was a hot day and to come out with a 0-0 result was a good end to the weekend.  

Some of the guys had played 220 minutes in three days, which is nothing short of spectacular and really a great feat.  It was good to get some time under my belt on the field in order to gauge my fitness level after being sick with mono for over a month.  I’m confident it was a good experience that will set myself and the team up for a win next Saturday when Columbia comes up to us for the Ivy League Opener.

Eric Sugar Shugs Sugarman

The Catamounts Prove to Be a Worthy Foe

After a hard fought battle against Florida Gulf Coast, the Brown Men’s soccer team proceeded to have an intense week of practice, starting with a tough Monday practice, and finishing with the traditional One-touch game on Thursday.  We knew the Florida games were in the rear view mirror and the only thing that mattered was our game against Vermont.  The game took place on a beautiful Friday evening under the lights on Stevenson field. 

Vermont was coming in with a 5-2 record so we knew it was going to be a challenge.  The focus was evident during warm up it had to be there for a full 90 if we were going to get a W in the record books.  The game started at a very high tempo with both teams relentlessly battling to break the 0-0 stalemate.  In the first half, Senior Captain Ben Maurey was able to generate some solid crosses with his left foot that could have easily put us up 1-0 if we had gotten on the end of them.  

The game was up and down the field, with what seemed to be dominated by long balls and clearances.  Vermont’s attack was held at bay by our veteran back line with “Timmy Tammers ” and “Jaaay” showing Vermont what BMS is all about.  After a full 90 and two overtimes, the game ended in a 0-0 draw.  

Mitch Kupstas was huge for us in the net, coming up with some key saves at the right time.  At the end of the day, coach was happy with the way we battled, but it is tough not getting the result we wanted.  The good news is that we were able to keep a shutout for the second game in a row, and get a result when going against a tough opponent.  On to the next one boys!

T-ROCK

Defending the Alamo...

After a tough loss to the Bulls of South Florida on a relatively mild Florida night, we were ready to put that in the rear view mirror and get a result out of the second leg of our trip. Friday morning, we promptly boarded the white travel vans from Tampa en route to Fort Myers. Fueled with Chipotle and “special water” from the hotel, we arrived at the swamp they call Florida Gulf Coast University. We knew it was going to be a hostile environment when we were not given a locker room to change in and also could not step on the game field with our cleats. But, in BMS style, we took it in stride and made it a goal to finish the road trip on a positive note. 

After an upbeat and entertaining pregame practice, we were treated to a real Southern tailgate filled with Jumabalaya (not sure how to spell that) and Poe Boys??. Much thanks to the Kupstas’ and their LSU loving friends for providing us with the most delicious pregame meal in history. After many rounds of tailgate games (CORNHOLE!), we got some rest and prepared for Saturday night’s showdown.

The game against Florida Gulf Coast proved to be a defensive test, with their style of play and skillful players being among the best in the nation. After a relatively back and forth first half, the foreign and brutal environment took a toll. Due to a combination of tired legs and 90 plus % humidity, we used tons of guys off the bench and “defended the Alamo” to get a 0-0 tie after 110 minutes. While it doesn’t represent one on the score sheet, it felt like a win of sorts for the team. We were thrust into a very difficult environment and playing some of the most technical teams in the country and we fared well.

The out-of-region trip each year proves to be priceless in terms of growing as a team and developing before the Ivy League kicks in. This year proved to be no different, as our games in Florida will no doubt help us to get some wins later in the season.

Until next time,

23

Beat the Heat.

Condensation forming on the wings of the plane from humidity, turbulence due to thuder storms in the clearest of days….heat, we knew we had arrived to the right place.  We arrived in Florida Wednesday afternoon in preparation for our match Thursday vs the University of South Florida. From the moment we walked out of the airport we knew it would be a battle in this weather. After loading up the buses and the all black leather interior expedition for quick food runs (a car which was quickly populated by an all senior crew) we were on our way to practice. As you could imagine our shirts were drenched not even 10 minutes into practice; however the energy stayed high with a good possession game and some skill oriented relay games.  

Fast forward past the on-campus hotel stay and relaxing pre game to Thursday 7PM. We came out strong vs USF with great chances, but there high and wide wing backs were causing us issues. In the 15^th minute those issues would be further exposed after a series of quick passes on our right side by USF leads to a big switch the right back, fellow Senior CLASS award candidate,  who from just outside our 18 serves a dangerous ball in. The ball was brought down mid turn by a forward who half volleyed it in the back of the net 1-0 USF. After further tough fights we end the half 1-0 and hit the Powerade packs to refuel for the second half. Despite being fired up a miss clear off a set piece left us 2-0 within 2 minutes of the second half starting and 3-0 with 20 left after further good service.

Though we would not end there and with some great individual skill by freshman James (Hamas) Myall who took on his man to serve a great ball to an awaiting Tyler Long we were on the board 3-1. We continued our high pressure throughout the rest of the game, but could not seem to find the equalizer goals. It was a night that began full of opportunity. It was a chance to take on a big scholarship school and it ended with disappointment. We had a few exceptional performances from our players but it was clearly not enough. It was a strong fight by the team even though it didn’t go our way but we could not worry now. It was time to recover and move on to our next game as we knew FGCU would be just as much of a test.

Brown 2 Lehigh 1

It was a beautiful late summer day on the 14^th of September. Coming off an overtime loss to PC, we had some work to get done in an afternoon game verse Lehigh.

With a 1 pm kickoff, we had a rather early pregame meal at the Ratty. In fact, it was VIP breakfast at the Ratty – BMS only. Normally the Ratty doesn’t open until 10:30 on Sundays, so we had the Ratty all to ourselves at 9:30. This was a nice change of pace from the traditionally crowded, steaming hot Ratty that we have to endure for afternoon meals.

On to the soccer… Filled up on scrambled eggs, cereal, and bagels it was time to get out on Stevenson. Lehigh entered the game with a 3-1 record, while we were 1-2. The first half lacked headline moments apart from a goal line save by Jameson Lochhead, who made his first start of the year at center back. We headed to the locker room still tied 0-0.

After regrouping at half, we came out with a bang. An early attack led to a throw-in in Lehigh’s defensive third. A long throw into the box flicked on by Big Ben Maurey was headed back across the box by Louis Zingas and finally tapped in by Tariq Abu-Akeel.

Lehigh pushed forward after the goal and began playing more direct. They were able to tie it back up midway through the half when a Lehigh attacker dribbled and weaved his way into the box to get a shot off.

With just over 10 minutes left to play, Will “Squill” Cross came to the rescue. Nate Pomeroy dribbled the end line and made a cut back pass to Will darting into the box. Will scored his first collegiate goal with an absolute firecracker down off the crossbar and in. With a second goal in hand and a few key stops from Mitch Kupstas in the net, we held off some last-ditch Lehigh attacks to hold on for the win.

Next stop: Florida.

---Tim Whalen

The Battle for Ocean State Supremacy..

After coming off a solid performance at Boston University, Brown Men’s Soccer in true form immediately set its eyes on the upcoming Friday night match at home against Providence College. Providence College came into the match just on the outside of the top 25 with wins already against Bryant and University of Rhode Island. However, they knew the real match for Rhode Island was yet to come. Brown and Providence College have had no love lost over the years of a fierce in-state rivalry and Friday night was no exception. Both teams came out ready to play and the game was predictably chippy from the start. Providence opened the score line in the first half with a free kick outside the box. The Providence midfielder sent the ball through a crowd of jerseys off the back post and in. After a halftime speech and a small breather, Brown came out swinging in the second half. Jack Gorab answered the call early with a powerful free kick from almost the same exact spot from which Providence had scored the half earlier.

 Feeling the momentum, Brown then took the lead midway through the half off of a back post header by Nate Pomeroy. 

Seeing their chances slip away, the press was on from Providence. Brown’s defense weathered strongly against this push, but were ultimately beaten by a quick turn and hard placed shot by the Providence forward with ten minutes left. Brown again took to the offensive, but wasn’t able to snag a goal before the end of regulation. As is always the possibility, it was going to take extra time to decide the winner of this clash of titans. Brown looked the fitter side as overtime started, immediately keeping a majority of the early possession, but our time on the field was short lived after Providence caught a lucky break resulting in a PC forward all alone dribbling into the box and poking home the winning goal. The result stung and on that night the better team may not have come out on top. However, Brown Men’s Soccer is resilient as it always has been and the next day there was no business of feeling sorry for ourselves. The next morning the only thought on our minds was our next opponent, Lehigh. Providence may have won Rhode Island this year, but we’re after a prize a little bit bigger. As the saying goes, they won the battle, but we can still win the war.

- Mitch Kupstas - Senior Goalkeeper