Off the Pitch with Coach Ray Reid: Nov. 13, 2007

What a great weekend! Our Huskies faced a very good USF team in the Big East Quarterfinal and defeated them by a 2-0 score. It was an impressive performance by our team defensively - probably the best of the year as the Bulls were limited to a single shot on goal. Our entire team should be commended for a great postseason performance.

We now move on to play the Louisville Cardinals in the Big East Semifinals on Friday November 16, 2007 at 7:30 PM at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium. This will follow the 5:00 PM semifinal that will pit the DePaul Blue Demons against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the key people who do so much for our team and never really truly get noticed – our assistant coaches.

John Deeley has been with me since 1989 and has been a tremendous part of our success. John has the role of offensive/defensive coordinator. He has an excellent mind for the game and spends countless hours watching film of the Huskies as well as our opponents. He has a great way with our players and has the respect of college coaches throughout the country.

We are very lucky to have Paul McDonough on our staff. Paul has been with us for the last five years and he has recruited an exceptional group. Paul has a tireless work ethic, but also a great eye for talent. He is great dealing with players and has his hands on every aspect of our program. He has set the bar very high at UCONN for recruiting players and has made it difficult for the coach that will follow him. He will be a great head coach soon and I have no doubt will lead a program to a national championship some day. He gets it, he knows it is about players, work ethic, commitment, and discipline. He takes no shortcuts, and does what it takes.

Kevin Bacher is our goalkeeper coach and will be the next “in line” at UCONN. He works hard, pays attention to details, is relentless in his pursuit of excellence and wants to win very badly. He will be a great recruiter and is a team guy. He is a great goalkeeper trainer but also is learning about training players and a team. Kevin works 24/7 to make UCONN better. He understands the program’s philosophy and mentality and is a perfect fit for the Huskies. He has what I call “ The Special Sauce.” He is a young man who relates well to players and the “kid of today.” He is extremely loyal and really understands about “the little things.”

Our Director of Soccer Operations is Kris Bertsch. He has been with us three years and is ready to be an Assistant Coach. He understands the little details that go into building and maintaining a program and he has paid his dues. He has great insight into the game and has really matured in the last three years. It is not often that we wander “out of the family” but I am glad we did with Kris. He is ready and I am sure will get an opportunity soon.

I have been blessed. I have some of the best coaches/people working with our players everyday and the players benefit from it.

Once again, I have to ask that you vote for Julius James for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. Fan voting continues until Nov. 21 here: http://soccer.seniorclassaward.com/10316/playercard.aspx

I am hoping that the public will come out and support the Huskies this Friday at 7:30 PM in our Big East Semifinal. Also, thank you to the Goal Patrol. You guys and girls are the best!!!!!! Other schools have tried to emulate you, but they don’t come close. We consider you part of our team and we are lucky to have you.

I hope to see you all this Friday at Morrone Stadium!