That's a wrap!

I didn't witness it.

Luckily.

I was fortuitously trapped in class while the New England Revolution were getting scorched by the Chicago Fire last night at Bridgeview. Cuauhtemoc Blanco and his fellow Screen Actors Guild of soccer players thrashed a depleted, suspended and broken-boned bunch of footballers that really had no shot from the beginning to the piercing tune of 3-0.

Let's be real: you cannot survive in the postseason without your top three scorers. You can make it to the playoffs, sure. We all know MLS rewards mediocrity by inviting more teams to November than it rejects. But do well enough to advance? It would be like doing Ocean's 14 without George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon. It can be done. Like MLS, moviegoers embrace mediocrity.* People will watch. But it'll tank. Big time.

(*I think if people are honest with themselves, they'll find that alot of movies are just bland. People complain about paying $11 to see a movie. That amount is nothing compared to seeing a major sports event. If movies were, on the whole, better than they are, no one would complain about forking over a Hamilton and his buddy Washington to see a flick. )

From the scoreline, it appears as if Fire manager Denis Hamlet was just toying with the Revolution during Game 1 after drawing 0-0. Showing them the pig ear - here ya go boy - then proceeding to stuff it in the trash, then kicking the dog in the rear. Three times. That's what the Fire did to the Revolution. Game 1 was a taunt. A glimpse of false hope. The bunny at the dog track that the greyhounds chase. That was Game 1.

Game 2 was reality. The makeshift side assembled by Steve Nicol gained Gabriel Badilla from suspension, but lost Game 1 starter Chris Tierney after the rook suffered an injury in training during the week. Then, Jeff Larentowicz was taken out by John Thorrington* on a tardy tackle in the 39th. With the insertion of Pat Phelan at der Kaiser's central mid role, the Revolution officially lost any chance to salvage the game, even though the score was still 0-0 at that point.

(*Whenever something happens in a Revolution-Fire match, Thorrington always seems to have a role in it. Dude's omnipresent. I can't tell you how many times play stopped during Game 1 where I checked to see who was involved. It was always Thorrington. Each time. I swear, it's like five guys on the Fire have 'Thorrington' on the back of their jersey.)

But in all honesty, who was going to score? Slyde? Sainey Nyassi made an appearance SportsCenter's Top 10 last night when he megged his mark with a threatening shot that a diving Jon Busch diverted away from goal in the 58th. Busch got the nod, even though the shot itself was worthy of the highlight reel.

Down 0-3, Chris Albright obviously had enough. Adding insult to injuries, suspension, and on-pitch apprenticeships, the blonde right back was shown his second yellow in the 83rd minute. Unfortunately for the Revolution, they did not play better with ten players, unlike the Rhode Island College Anchorwomen on November 1.

Minutes later, the Revolution's season officially ended.

If you want to be slapped with perspective, get ready to turn your cheek. The last time the Revolution were relegated to watching Eastern Conference Finals on television, W's approval ratings appraoched 87%.

Seriously.

*******

It's not all bad news this morning.

One side that still has a match ahead of them is the Rhode Island College men's soccer team.

The Anchormen will be playing Plymouth State University tomorrow for the Little East Conference title at RIC Soccer Field.

This year's Anchormen boast an 11-5-4 record, and are 5-1-1 in LEC play. They started the season slow after going 0-3-0 (and being shut out in all three), but caught fire in early-September and never looked back, finishing their remaining 17 matches with a record of 11-2-4. Their defending was superb, as they allowed only 16 goals this season (0.76 GAA), and certainly took advanatage of their home pitch, where they went undefeated (8-0-2). All of these stats point to what should be a thrilling game for Anchormen tomorrow afternoon.

One season ends, another continues. The drama that is postseason soccer.

An Open Letter to the Rhode Island College women's soccer team

Dear Rhode Island College ANCHORWOMEN,

First and foremost, let me congratulate you on an incredible season. Although the standings fail to accurately reflect the hard work that went into it, allow me to convey my sincerest wishes to you all – especially the seniors.

I watched you play throughout the season, and can accurately affirm that this team was one of the best I've ever seen, in any sport, period. You played like champions from start to finish, and undoubtedly made your parents and coaches proud throughout.

On November 1, 2007, I witnessed what this team was truly made of. With the odds stacked against you, your resolve shined through. You battled, fought, and played a tremendous match against WestConn. You held the lead late into the second half; a lead that was undone by, in a very diplomatic term, a "questionable call" that upstaged a superb performance.

But you didn’t quit - going into the first overtime, you courageously battled, well aware that the match should have ended in your favor only minutes ago. Despite your best efforts, harsh reality cast its ugly shadow in the second overtime – an unfitting end for such a valiant display of teamwork and tenacity.

Nevertheless, what I saw was the remarkable spirit of this team in the face of adversity, and contrary to the scoresheet, you overcame it. You persevered. One questionable call can never diminish what you have accomplished. You left nothing on the pitch. You played your guts out. On Thursday night, you were the better team.

You deserved much better than what transpired. Be proud in knowing that in the face of adversity, you didn’t flinch one bit. You deserved the win in every sense of the word.

That being said, I can wholeheartedly say that there have been few times when I've been as proud to be a RIC alumnus as I was on Thursday night. Take heart in knowing that nothing could ever undo your amazing efforts on Thursday night, and on the season as a whole.

I wish all of you the best of luck, and I look forward to Anchorwomen soccer in '08!

Sincerely,


Brian O'Connell
RIC '04

Anchorwomen upset thwarted by controversial call; lose 3-2 to West Conn

Despite the heavy odds stacked against them, the fourth-seeded Rhode Island College Anchorwomen came within three minutes of a stunning upset of the top-seeded Western Connecticut State University Colonials in the Little East Conference semifinals before a controversial call sent the match into double-overtime, where RIC heartbreakingly succumbed to the 3-2 loss.

From the opening whistle, the Colonials controlled early on, as the Anchorwomen backline was tested with two shots by the tenth minute. Though the potent striking duo of Catherine Nathans (13 goals) and Kim Crayco (11 goals) challenged the guests, the burgundy and gold backline duly kept them at bay for much of the match.

Just as RIC had found its rhythm, West Conn sparked up a counterattack in the 38th minute when Nathans sprinted through the backline and went one on one with keeper Maddie Pirri before the junior striker calmly chipped it in, giving the her side the 1-0 lead.

Undaunted, RIC pressed on by controlling the midfield at length, menacing West Conn with a frenzy of crisp passes. With only two substitutes at his disposal, RIC coach Denis Chartier judiciously spelled his playmakers as much as possible in order to keep the attack energized.

RIC kicked off the second half by dominating possession early on, and it paid dividends less than ten minutes later when Chelsea Creamer hauled in a Krista MacKinnon pass inside the box and deftly chipped it into the corner of the net, tying the score at one apiece.

With a severely depleted bench, an added sense of urgency prevailed among the RIC players in order to keep the match from turning into a multiple OT marathon that they were ill-equipped to endure. Their fervent attack found paydirt in the 74th minute when the speedy Calenda raced down the right and into the box, and angled a perfect shot that sailed into the upper realm of the net, giving the lower-seed a stunning one-goal lead with just over fifteen minutes left in regulation.

Cautiously sitting atop the one-goal lead, the Anchorwomen refocused on the defending, and though the Colonials broke through on two occasions, defender Kerry Donahue boldly snuffed any hopes the home side had at equalizing going into the 80th minute.

As the final minutes of regulation waned, WestConn inserted fresh substitutes in the form of Domonique Poscascio and Victoria Capoziello, attempting to crack the RIC backline. RIC, on the brink of a major upset, stepped up by solidifying its defense, as the Colonials were continually stonewalled despite creating quality chances.

Then, in the 87th minute, controversy ensued when a corner kick was fortuitously granted to West Conn after it appeared that, in a battle for the ball near the right corner flag, the ball had last touched a Colonial player before skipping past the byline. Despite vehement protests by the Anchorwomen, the decision stood, and seconds later, Caitlin Boyle headed the Cassie Barbaresi outswinger right into the heart of the net, drawing the match even at two-all, and sending the game into overtime minutes later.

An exhausted Anchorwomen side bravely fended off the Colonials during the first overtime, but with less than six minutes remaining in the second OT, the Colonials lined up for another corner. After the kick was played short to Jessica Sperlazza, she then pushed it forward to Kim Crayco, who slipped it past Pirri point blank for the game-winner in the 107th minute, as West Conn squeaked by to clinch its second consecutive LEC Finals appearance.

Excuses, excuses

I never thought I'd ever say this on a soccer blog, but thank God for the Boston Bruins.

Ok, so maybe I'm not saying it in the context to which I am wholeheartedly appreciative of the beloved Bruins. Don't get me wrong - Patrice Bergeron (get well soon), Tim Thomas, Marc Savard, and Glen Murray all have little planets named after them in my sports universe. When the TV is devoid of Red Sox, Patriots, Revolution, Benfica, EPL, NFL, Celtics, College football, and yes, even college hockey, I gleefully turn to the Bruins.

But this mild autumn morning, I have an even better reason to give thanks. For tonight, they have afforded me a wonderful alibi to which I was greatly given a half day at work.

"Oh, I'm going up to Boston to catch the B's game up at the Gahden." It’s an easy, carefree, no-further-questions-needed response.

Yet, why would I say such a thing when I’m unequivocally headed in almost the opposite direction? Instead of heading due northeast up I-95 to I-93 to the Hub of Hockey, I'll be heading southwest to Danbury, CT to watch the Rhode Island College Anchorwomen play top-seeded Western Connecticut in the Hub of...nevermind.

You may ask, "Why mask your intentions? Why not just state your true endeavor?"

Well, I don't know about you, but around these parts, a guy taking for a half day to watch a women's college soccer game around here is like a guy asking his buddy to spot him for a Midori Sour at the bar. You're just going to get alot of blank stares, ballbusting, and tart remarks about your seemingly juxtaposed priorities. It's not to say that I'm not proud of my favorite college soccer squad - indeed I am, and wouldn't be making the 149.73 mile journey if I wasn't. But to be absolutely blunt, I'm just too lazy to endure the ensuing workplace ridicule that would surely come if my actual plans were revealed. Besides, I'm using a vacation day - I don't have to reveal my plans. I could very easily attend to my llama farm without so much as a "Peace out!" at 12:30pm. The reason is completely irrelevant. So what harm is there is smudging the facts a bit when said facts aren't necessary?

So to the Bruins, I salute you. I wish you the best of luck during your young season, to which your 6-4-0 record speaks of wonderful promise for the 2007-08 NHL season. Thank you for choosing this date months in advance, when the scheduling gods affixed you and your opponent, the Buffalo Sabres, to the TD Bankborth Garden on this first of the month. Thanks as well for consummating the affair at 7:00pm, which works perfectly into the thread of alternate reality I have so whimsically dispensed to my peers. Good luck against the Sabres, a traditional Northeast Division foe, and I hope your sure-fire winning results pervade all the way down the I-95 corridor and into to Danbury, where it will rub off on my dear alma mater's women's soccer team.

Thank you, Boston Bruins. Someday, I'll really use half of a vacation day to make the trip up to the Hub of Hockey.

RIC overtakes PSU 3-2; advance to LEC semis

In a wild and crazy match that featured four goals, a controversial penalty kick, fisticuffs, and two players sent off all before the half, the Rhode Island College Anchorwomen valiantly claimed victory against Plymouth State University Panthers during Tuesday afternoon’s Little East Conference first round playoff match by the score of 3-2.

Right off the opening whistle, the Anchorwomen came out with an aggressive attack and wasted no time getting on the board when freshman Kristina Haughey took a cross from Brittney Godbout and flicked home the goal of the match in the 2^nd minute, immediately putting the Panthers on their proverbial heels.

Unsatisfied with sitting on a mere one-goal lead for long, the Anchorwomen struck two minutes later when Haughey struck again as she headed a nice feed from Gina Calenda, giving RIC an amazing two-goal advantage before the fifth minute mark.

But PSU wasn't about to sit back and focus on defending for long. Instead, they unleashed a fervent attack of their own, and were “rewarded” when referee Bill Morrone called a hand ball on the Anchorwomen inside the box, giving the Panthers a fortuitous penalty kick in the 31^st minute. Despite the home crowd’s objections, Lauren Lavery stepped up and delivered a rocket inside the left post for her club’s first goal of the match.

The guests continued to challenge the backs when Alex Marcell raced deep down the left channel, juked her defender, and fired a quick cross toward Stacy DiSabato, who deftly redirected the pass into the corner of the goal in the 38^th minute.

With less than two minutes remaining in the half, tempers flared after a Gianna Minervini throw in near midfield. After the ball bounced to a teammate, Minervini suddenly charged into the back of Linsday Laurie. The Anchorwoman midfielder retaliated and threw Minervini to the ground, as the two tussled a few yards deep into the Anchorwomen end. Morrone halted play to separate the perpetrators, who were soon joined by a rush of teammates. After the players finally dispersed, the sparring partners were sent off, leaving both teams with only ten players at their disposal.

The second half played itself out much like the early part of the first, with RIC aggressive on the attack. Curiously, the Panthers played right into this ploy by sitting back on defense, surely lacking the tenacity they displayed in the first half. The Anchorwomen took advantage, and tested the backs with almost limitless pressure, as the Panther backline bent like a bow.

However, the pressure became too much to withstand by the 63^rd minute when Abby Hummel finally advantage of a failed clearance and fired a screamer from the top of the box that seared high above the reach of Panther keeper Ashley Riberdy and into the top right corner of the goalmouth, giving back the lead to RIC.

Looking for goal number four, the Anchorwomen continued to pressure when Gina Calenda danced into the box and laced a hard shot goalward that Riberdy acrobatically saved to keep the deficit at one in the 73^rd minute.

As the time on wound down on the match, home club kept their foot on the accelerator, while their guests struggled to reassert themselves on the attack. PSU mounted one final journey toward the RIC end before the final whistle sounded. But it was all in vain, as the Anchorwomen took the 3-2 victory over the Panthers.

With the victory, RIC earned a trip to Danbury, CT to face top-seeded Western Connecticut for the Little East Conference semi-finals on Thursday, November 2^nd.

Anchorwomen look primed for playoff action

Who: Rhode Island College Anchorwomen vs. Plymouth State University Panthers

When: October 30, 2007 at 3:30pm

Where: RIC Soccer Field, Providence, RI

Forecast: 62 degrees and sunny

The Little East Conference women's soccer semi-finals will pit the fourth-seeded Anchorwomen (9-8-1 overall, 4-3 conference) against the fifth-seeded Panthers (8-8, 3-4) on Tuesday, as both teams are coming off of very different season-finale results. RIC lost a 1-0 heartbreaker to sixth-place Southern Maine over the weekend, despite the promise of first-round playoff bye with a victory. PSU rode the wave of a three-match win streak that continued on Saturday with a resounding 5-0 result over UMass-Boston.

On paper, the Anchorwomen appear to be well tuned for the low-scoring protocol of playoff soccer. RIC only allowed one goal in its final four matches, due in large part to the defending corps led by senior co-captain Kerry Donahue, and the sensational goalkeeping of freshman Maddie Pirri (0.73 GAA). Up front, the Anchorwomen are no slouches either, with Lindsay Laurie and Brittney Godbout leading the way in goals with five apiece. Senior strikers Gina Calenda (4 G, 2 A) and Jessica Cardinal (4, 2 A), both of whom recorded ten points during the regular season, have undoubtedly bolstered the RIC attack this year.

Rest assured, Plymouth State won't simply bask on its postseason laurels. Although the Panthers allowed a whopping 40 goals in 16 matches this season, their aggressive attack is spearheaded by striker Alex Marcel, who led the team in goals (8) and points (18) and bettered the "one goal every other game" standard for strikers in fifteen matches. Additionally, striking partner Jamie Coombs chipped in five goals of her own, while Georgia Rooney (2 G, 7 A) held down a midfielding corps that scored a total of thirteen goals, giving PSU a well-rounded attack that can seemingly strike from anywhere.

During the regular season head-to-head match back on October 13th in Providence, the Anchorwomen dominated the first half, scoring two goals before halftime. But in the second half, the Panthers slowly crept right back to tie it at 2-2, and forced the match into overtime. It wasn't until Abby Hummel's strike toward the far post in the 94th minute that finally separated the clubs. Coincidentally, the overtime thriller clinched a playoff berth for the maroon and gold.

As with any playoff match, the x-factor will be defending, and the Anchorwomen appear to have the upper hand based on total goals allowed (29-40) throughout the season. Along with home field advantage, the Anchorwomen look primed to extend their season beyond October 30th.