05/06/13
 

He did not mean to be at the first meeting. The Bio-Med Engineering major was doing his homework in the Tech House lounge when the India Point Ashwinders’ first ever meeting walked in and took over. He stayed and listened and when asked if he was actually joining he responded: “Why not? The worst I could do is not show up,” boiling the blood of the author at the time. After incessant knocking and badgering, he finally came to one of our first practices for some 3-on-3. Moi was a star instantly. Despite their best efforts, his teammates in practice and opponents in games couldn’t bring him down. Bludgers were ineffective as well for he would bat them away, using the Quaffle like a foil.  ​

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Perhaps his biggest contribution came in the team’s first games ever against Clark. Putting IPA (and Clark) on his back, he took the team to two victories in their first two games. He gave us a lot to be excited about at a time when practices were small and involved carrying buckets of concrete to and from India Point Park. Even as a senior in check-out mode, he was a committed and reliable member for practice. Moi’s year involved numerous Ph.D visits which prevented him from playing in all but five games before the SNEQC Cup. This probably wasn’t the worst thing, however, for it forced the rest of the team to learn to play without him. Moi was an incredibly tenacious player, sacrificing his body constantly due to his physical style. Further, he always gave everything he had, even when he couldn’t breathe. A big, physical, dominant force on both ends of the pitch, Moi was a big part of IPA’s run in the SNEQC Tournament. This was contrasted with his demeanor. He was always the gentle giant, so much so that the author was concerned he would not tackle as much as he could. This was not the case, exemplified when he picked up Casey Schaus of URI and then promptly set her down gently and apologized profusely.​

The team went 8-3 with Moi in the lineup and 3-11 without. He finished his one year stint with the Ashwinders with 40 goals in 11 games played and the SNEQC Cup. Despite being perhaps IPA’s least improved player, he was absolutely incredible the whole year. We have some big shoes to fill.​

Thanks Moi, even if you knock me over when I Tebow.