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Kickin' it with Kieron
Sophomore midfielder Kieron Gradwell will keep UC soccer fans updated on the happenings of the defending BIG EAST Red Division champions throughout the 2007 season. A native of Middlesex, England, Gradwell scored the game-tying goal in UC's division-clinching victory against Villanova in 2006. Fans can email Kieron here! Be sure to include your name and hometown.
Back again for another entry! Last time I wrote we were still in pre season and had just come off a tough loss to Wake Forest. We are coming to the end of our season now with only four games left. We have two home games remaining against Michigan State and Villanova. We also have two away games against USF and Rutgers. There is only 4 points separating 6 teams in the Red Division so there is still a lot left to play for, starting with USF this Wednesday, which we know will be a tough game but one we hope we can win. We have had a tough year so far with some very hard losses during the season. We don't appear to have had the rub of the green at times this season. Deflected goals - last minute goals - have all contributed to a lot of frustration thus far. But our season is far from over. We all have a belief that we can bounce back from what has happened thus far. A lot of hard work is going into practice even with the weather being a bit of a wash out today. I loved it, however. It reminds me of playing back at home. There is a great camaraderie amongst the team right now and I am sure if the boys continue to show this togetherness and put in the effort, the results and the luck will take care of themselves. We all as a team try and find some down time between class and soccer, and a lot of us do this in different ways. For example, a lot of the guys like a game of FIFA now and then - myself included. The games can get rather intense. I have to say that I have knocked off Amir Ikner, Matt Williams and Juddy McKinney recently so Paddy (Pat Baxter) better be on the look out. I mean we have to do something to try and ignore the constant noise coming from Matt Williams about the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. With two home games left in the season against Villanova and Michigan State, it would be great to see as many of our fans there as possible. It's always good to get some good support behind us, so come join the RallyCats down at Gettler and join in the support for our team. Bring yourselves and everybody you know down to the stadium to support your Cincinnati Bearcats.
Cheers
Aug. 29, 2007 So preseason has been and for the most part gone (except for those tired muscles) and the boys are looking forward to the first game of the season, Loyola Chicago, for those of you that haven't kept in touch with the fixture list. It's going to be a big test for the lads, but I am sure it will be one that the boys step up to and grasp with both hands. This is what we have been preparing for. The chance to step up and prove to the doubters that we again are going to stand up and show what we are made of and go and defend that Red Division Championship. The lads have put a lot into this pre season, the pain of Midnight Madness and those breakfast club meetings with Curtis Bostic will hopefully pay off. It's not been all pain and hard work however. All our hard work has been rewarded with trips to Kings Island and the chance to `Tame the Beast' and the experience of Camp Kern which allowed us to bond as a team outside of our typical football - sorry soccer - environment. (Which it has to be said England and friends dominated the Amazing Race even if Michael Hnat looked like a fish out of water in that canoe). A big thank you has to be given to both the Simpsons' and the Dobbs' for providing us with some great meals after our excursions. It gave us all a big chance to meet some of the people who support us in every way they possibly can throughout the season, it's very much appreciated by the lads on the team. On the team front, we are again looking strong for the season, National Championship anyone? We have had a great influx of very promising youngsters into the squad again this season, and all of them have hit the ground running, none more so then Baby (Matt Telting) who scored a sweet goal against Wake Forest over the weekend, in what was a very promising second half performance against a Final Four team from last year, which shows we can really mix it with the big boys. With a solid spine of returning players the team is ready to progress even further from its successful season last year. That's all from me for now, need to hit the sack and get ready to travel to Chicago tomorrow morning.
Cheers,
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