Moon Township, Pa. – Neco Brett took a peek at the scoreboard as the final seconds ticked away:
10 ... 9 ... 8 ... 7 ... "Relief," the senior scoring machine said, referring to that Northeast Conference Tournament-clinching victory over Central Connecticut, 2-1, Oct. 30. "We were all like, 'Wow, finally. ... We made it.'"
The Colonials have not been to the postseason since 2006 -- back when Brett was a grade-schooler in his native Kingston, Jamaica.
During his four years here, this affable soccer star has overcome "culture shock" -- his words -- and home sickness to emerge as one of the top college players in the nation. He still has his challenges with the cold weather -- "It's 85 degrees every day at home," he said. -- and American cuisine, which he often smothers with ketchup, yet the 2013 NCAA Division I leader in points per game (2.00) wouldn't change a thing.
"It's really been worth it, because as they say, 'Nothing good comes easy,'" said Brett, who topped the NEC in goals (12), game-winning goals (7) and points (29) this fall. "You have to put in the work. You have to make sacrifices. That's how we got into this position."
The third-seeded Colonials (10-7, 4-2-1 NEC) face No. 2 seed Saint Francis U. (10-5-3, 5-2) at noon Friday to open the NEC Tournament. RMU has gone 6-2-1 since opening with a 4-5 record. Its 10 victories are the best in a decade.
In the second game, host and top-seeded Long Island Brooklyn (10-5-2, 7-0) plays No. 4 St. Francis Brooklyn (10-3-4, 3-2-2). Winners advance to the final at noon Sunday. An NCAA Tournament berth goes to the champion.
Brett refused to offer a postseason prediction, but did allow that these Colonials are unique due to an unyielding work ethic and singular focus.
"We had a day off the other day, but everyone still showed up at the practice field," Brett said. "Nobody has to be told what to do. They just do it. We all want this. We know that it's playoff time and we know that it's one loss and you're out. If we win, we go to the finals with a chance to go to nationals. Everyone is working hard to reach that goal."
The Colonials topped the NEC with 28 assists, finished in a three-way tie for points with 82 and placed fourth with 27 goals, one fewer than Saint Francis U. They led the NEC with 107 saves at 5.94 per game.
Veteran coach
Bill Denniston likes the make-up of his underclassmen-oriented team -- the roster features just six seniors -- yet was pragmatic when asked to identify the biggest reason for the turnaround this season.
"College soccer is all about goalies and goal scorers," said Denniston, in his 19th year. "We have one of each, and that's why we have a good team. We've been able to make the big save when needed, and to score the timely goal when needed. It's that simple."
Senior goalkeeper
Brenden Alfery, a feel-good story, led the NEC at 5.89 saves per game and ranked third with an .835 save percentage. It was only two seasons ago that he was toiling at Division III Grove City. Fueled by the desire to compete at a higher level, he not only made the RMU roster, but quickly climbed to No. 1 on the depth chart.
He came into his own this fall.
"It was a learning experience for me last year, but I feel 10 times more comfortable now," he said. "I like the idea of being the last line of defense for us. For me, when I look up and Neco scores a goal, that motivates me to keep the ball out of the net because I know how much that can lift the team up. My name doesn't show up on the scoring sheet or in the highlights, but what I love about my position is that you're the rock, and if you make a great save, the team literally lights up."
A player to watch in the postseason is
Lucas Puntillo. The freshman ranked second in the NEC with six assists, fifth with 17 points and tied for seventh with five goals. Sophomore
Keane McIvor finished second with 0.36 assists per game and sophomore
Jake Cooper tied for third with five assists.
Denniston said, while clinching a postseason berth after a nine-year drought is satisfying, it is not enough.
The goal is to bring home the NEC Tournament title.
"Most kids at this level are hungry to win," Denniston said. "We haven't done anything yet. We accomplished something that was necessary to get to the postseason. That's it. Everybody in this tournament is really close. We'll have to play well to win it, but if the ball bounces the right way in a given game, anyone can win it.
"That's just the nature of our crazy sport."
