Freddie Braun Blog #12
November 18, 2009 | Men's Soccer
Nov. 18, 2009
Louisville, Ky. - It's the Big Show. We made it! The NCAA bracket is now set.
This past weekend was the Big East Championship. We were matched against Notre Dame and St. John's played Providence. We left Thursday by bus to Morgantown, West Virginia. We were hoping to ride in style in our sweet new bus with the Flat screen TV's and leather chairs. Well, that didn't happen. Hey, what is more important a bus ride or playing in the BIG EAST Final Four? We got over it because we were more focused on the game.
The BIG EAST Banquet was Thursday night before the games. This is where all four teams gather to eat dinner and receive individual and team awards. I would like to congratulate the Phil Edginton for being the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year and on being selected BIG EAST First Team, and to Colin Rolfe for also making BIG EAST First Team. Paolo DelPiccolo made the All-Rookie Team and the Coach's were announced as the BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year. It was quite funny when Paolo's name was called for his award. Normally you have to walk up on the stage and receive it your award, but the BIG EAST representative didn't instruct the players to do that. So when Paolo's name was the first name announced, he just slowing stood up and gave a half wave to the audience. He was about to sit back down and then they urged him come to the stage to have his photo taken when another awkward moment happened. Paolo was unsure what to do again, wrapped his arm around the other player in a sign of friendship. The audience just laughed. It was Paolo's first BIG EAST Award and will definitely not be his last time on stage.
On Friday, we played Notre Dame in the semi finals. It was a beautiful night and we had a large attendance of Louisville fans. Thank you parents and friends! In the first half, we came out on fire. We had multiple chances to finish but they just didn't go in. Colin Rolfe hit the post and Mark Knight had a great header that made the keeper make a save. We ended the half with a 7-3 shot advantage. Our defense played excellent. Andre had only three saves for the entire game. After playing to a 0-0 tie in regulation time, we played two scoreless overtimes before losing in penalty kicks 4-3. Anyone who watched the game knows that we played a very good game of soccer. Even though we lost, we went after the "W" with all we had.
The next segment of the blog is not written by me, but is a guest appearance by my roommate Austin Berry. In his blog " Ballin' with Berry" he talks about his feelings watching the NCAA selection process.
As a team we gathered Monday night, not to watch the Browns lose again, but to watch the NCAA tournament selection show. We were treated to a buffet of Qdoba as we prepared to see where we landed in the draw. The shock came to us, as we were not only unseeded but have to travel to Indiana University for the first round. To take a ride down memory lane, we were successful against IU earlier in the season. As a team we know regardless of where and who we play, we can win. I believe that selection committee decided to send us to IU so that Cardinal Park will look better on Sunday when we will host Butler. For those who didn't watch the selection show the commentator tried with all his power to not sound biased for the ACC. This man couldn't be any more in love with the ACC. Our third round would be against one of his crushes, North Carolina. We are content with this draw and can't wait to play. As they say "the Third Time is the charm" as we enter our third straight NCAA tournament. I would like to take the opportunity to express the deepest gratitude to Freddie in making my wildest dream come true. To write in a KIWF blog has to be the biggest accomplishment in my life and now my claim to fame. I would also like to admit I have been stealing his food and that hole in the wall was not there before we moved in. PEACE
We would love to see some Cardinal fans at IU. Come join us Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
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Until the next Kicking it with Freddie, "You can't just beat a team, you have to leave a lasting impression in their minds so they never want to see you again" - Mia Hamm
Freddie
