By Jim Fenton, Enterprise staff writer

Patrick Doherty and Matt Brown share a bond from their soccer careers at Oliver Ames High School.

In their respective final seasons playing for the Tigers, Doherty (in 2002) and Brown (in 2004) were selected The Enterprise player of the year.

The Easton residents, reunited as teammates this fall, are sharing another bond — they are among the top players for Bryant University, which is bidding for a spot in the Northeast-10 Conference tournament.

Doherty, a senior captain, is a leader of the Bulldogs' defense while Brown, a redshirt freshman who transferred from Central Connecticut State, is emerging as a potent offensive threat.

The two had not been on the same team since Doherty's senior season at OA in '02 when Brown was a sophomore.

Doherty moved on to Bryant where he has been a four-year contributor and Brown, after finishing a sensational career at OA, was redshirted in 2005 at Central Connecticut.

Midway through the first semester last year, Brown decided he wanted to leave Central Connecticut and he eventually hooked up with Doherty in Smithfield, R.I.

“We had stayed in touch,” said Doherty. “I talked to him about coming here after OA, but he went to Central Connecticut. Then I talked to him again last year and he said it wasn't going the way he wanted.

“I told him to come to Bryant for a recruiting visit. The coach (Seamus Purcell) loved him. I knew the way he played with his athletic ability and his speed that he would be a good fit here, and he has been.”

Brown, who scored 22 goals as an OA senior, wanted to play at the Div. 1 level, but when it didn't work out at Central Connecticut, Bryant and the NE-10 was an attractive option.

“I came down to Bryant for a weekend, stayed on campus and Pat told me a lot about the program and it appealed to me,” said Brown. “I really enjoyed playing with Pat in high school, and it helped make the transition good having him here. I didn't think I'd ever end up playing with him again, though.”

Purcell is glad to have both former Tigers on his roster as they've helped Bryant (6-5-3) stay in contention for a postseason berth. With one NE-10 game remaining, the Bulldogs are 4-5-3 and are in the mix for one of the final spots.

“Patrick is one of those hard-nosed players who is vocal and plays with a lot of emotion,” said Purcell. “He's the backbone of our defense, a very tough kid. He pretty much runs the show once the game starts. He's kind of the quarterback of our team.

“Matt is a very quiet kid whose skills are very good. He's definitely turned out to be our best striker. He's lightning-fast with very good vision. I definitely think he can get to the point where he is first team all-conference while he's here.”

Doherty, a communications major, appeared in 14 games as a freshman and averaged about 40 minutes. He went into the starting lineup early in his sophomore season and has remained a fixture there.

That move was made despite the fact Doherty was playing with a right ankle ailment, an injury that was sustained while playing for a team on Cape Cod the previous summer.

It was originally thought to be a high ankle sprain, but Doherty later learned he had a torn tendon. The injury has nagged him since the 2004 season, though he has been a reliable player in Bryant's lineup.

Doherty played 15 games as a junior and scored his only career goal against Assumption College, and he is leading a young Bulldogs' defense this season.

“I've had more of a leadership role the past two years,” said Doherty, a 2003 OA graduate. “I've been consistent. I love being in the back, playing defense. I was switched there when I was in fifth or sixth grade, and I've been there ever since.”

Brown has started 10 of the 14 games he's appeared in at Bryant and is tied for second on the team with four goals and 10 points. He has a game-winning goal and recently scored goals in three straight games against Saint Anselm, Le Moyne and Stonehill.

“I wanted to play Div. 1 and I thought I'd get some time (last year), but as the preseason went on, I didn't like how things were going,” said Brown of his season at Central Connecticut. “It was a little disappointing, especially not playing at all last year.

“I like playing here. Coming to Bryant just got me back into soccer and being happy. I've used my speed and quickness and I like to take defenders on one-on-one and get to the net. It's been going good.”

Said Doherty, “He's played awesome. He's an offensive-minded player who is real fast, aggressive and good in the air. He's quick and he's got a nose for the goal.”

Doherty's career is winding down, and the Bulldogs will miss the consistency and leadership he has brought on defense.

“I expected him to come in and be a role player,” said Purcell. “But as the years went on, he developed into a strong player for us. He thinks the way I do, which is important for a coach.

“His sophomore year, he started to show leadership qualities. It's always the team first with him. He's kind of like Larry Bird in that he works hard at everything he does.”

Brown will carry the OA soccer tradition on at Bryant for three more years after Doherty graduates.

“He's adapted really well,” said Purcell of the 2005 OA graduate. “His next couple of years, he will do better and better.

“We always ask our players if there was anyone on their high school teams we should know about, and Patrick told me we should go after Matt.”

The reunion of the former Enterprise players of the year has turned out to be a winning match for Bryant.