Though the men's soccer team was bounced by Old Dominion University in the second round of the NCAA tournament last Wednesday, the Bears' success this season went beyond what happened on the field. Brown's 15-1-1 regular season record and 7-0 Ivy League record were two major accomplishments that reflected the team's strong bond.
"This was one of the most enjoyable teams I've had at Brown," said Head Coach Mike Noonan, who is in his 13th season with Brown and picked up his 200th win during the regular season.
It is hard to point to exactly what made this team so special. Each team member had a different take on what Bruno did behind the scenes that enabled it to excel on the pitch.
"They were selfless. Players weren't concerned with themselves first. That's what made it so special," Noonan said.
Co-captain and Ivy League Player of the Year Matt Britner '07.5 felt confidence held the squad together.
"It was an actual belief (in ourselves)," Britner said. "We didn't know what to expect. We set the tone the first game. After (beating Santa Clara University, 2-1), confidence grew for all the guys, for the whole team."
Co-captain defender Stephen Sawyer '09 felt a strong work ethic put the Bears over the top.
"It was the work we put in the last nine months since the end of last season," Sawyer said. "We felt like we had something to prove. We lost so many people (from last year), nobody expected much of us. We wanted to prove people wrong."
Whatever the reason for the team's success, a motivated Bears squad achieved almost every goal it set back in March. The team's lofty record, especially the undefeated conference mark and the school's 19th Ivy League Championship, was Brown's crowning achievements.
"Our season was definitely successful on a bunch of levels," Britner said. "We had potential to go farther, but it was something special for sure to go 7-0-0 in Ivies."
The team even achieved some off-field goals. Brown was awarded a National Soccer Coaches Association of America Academic Achievement Award, given to teams with at least a 3.0 collective GPA.
The one goal the Bears fell short of was putting together a successful postseason run. For the third season in a row, Bruno was sent home in the second round. Players said the loss to the Monarchs hurt even more because of the strong bond the team forged over the course of the season.
"Everybody is disappointed with the way it ended," Noonan said. "It had an eerie feeling at the end."
Just a few days after the loss, the coaching staff was already looking forward to next season. The team hopes to build on the positives from this season and make some adjustments so that next year the squad, will be able to achieve the one goal it missed out on this season.
"You try to keep what was good about this year," Noonan said. "You also have to mix in some of the lessons you learned Wednesday, which will serve the next group well going forward. Guys will use it as motivation."
"What we can take from this season is knowing our own potential. Now that we have actually done it, we have a lot more confidence," Sawyer said. "I don't know yet what we want to do differently, but there will be things. We have to keep things fresh, but keep the same work ethic."
Next season, the Bears will feel the loss of the four graduating seniors: Jon Behrendt '08, Laurent Manuel '08, First Team All-Ivy forward Kevin Davies '08 and Britner.
"They are great players and great leaders. We will miss (their leadership) more than anything," Sawyer said. "We have a good class coming in to fill the holes, but nothing can replace their leadership."
Noonan admitted that the team will miss Davies, Britner and Manuel, who all saw significant playing time, on the field, and noted that Behrendt's contribution was just as important.
"I'm most proud of Jon Behrendt. For four years he played because he loved the game."
Britner would like to continue playing. After his outstanding senior season, he is hoping to get an invitation to the Major League Soccer combine in early January, which could lead to his being selected in the MLS draft later this winter.
Meanwhile the returning Bears are already beginning preparations for next year. "There are always things you want to do better and want to change," Noonan said.
There is potential for continued success next season with a strong returning nucleus, but nobody will soon forget the 2007 team. "Everyone felt like they didn't want this year to end," Noonan said.
