Last fall, the men's soccer team experienced a strong base of fan support during its run to the Eastern Conference Athletic Conference title.

However, the creators of "Coven's Corner" took this level of spirit to a whole new level this season.

"Coven's Corner," named after men's soccer coach Mike Coven, grew in numbers as the season progressed, went on to receive regional acclaim from the Boston Globe and witnessed the Judges' first NCAA Division III Tournament victories since 1984 with wins over Baruch College and Vassar College.

The legend began this September at the lobby of the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center. Jesse Link '13, a pitcher on the baseball team, made a habit of talking to Coven on his way to practice, and on this particular day, he shouted out to Coven: "Hey coach, turn around."

Coven quickly turned around, only to find that Link had taken his picture. Coven eventually forgot about the incident, but on the night of the Judges' first home game on Sept. 5 versus Colby-Sawyer College, he glanced over at the fans' section with a puzzled look.

"I saw this banner with a picture of someone's face on it," he said, "and I thought, 'Who's that funny-looking guy? Then I realized it was me."

The banner, bearing the words "Coven's Corner," was a manifestation of the newly-established fan section that supported the team not only at its home games but its away games as well - including the squad's 1-0 victory over New York University and its 1-0 loss this past weekend at Amherst College.

The name "Coven's Corner" was the brainchild of Link and fellow baseball pitcher Dylan Britton '13, also an avid soccer fan.

"There were a core group of guys, about 10 to 15 of us, that went to every game last year," said Link.

"This winter, we were watching March Madness [the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament] and... [Britton] saw the [Duke fan section] "Camden Crazies" and said '"Well, we should be Coven's Crazies.'"

"And with the use of the term 'corner' in soccer, we adapted it to be "Coven's Corner."
Coven appreciated the gesture and praised the fans.

"Those guys are great. ... They definitely make their presence known," he said.

The significance of this presence was not lost on the team either.

"Our fans have been phenomenal," said goalkeeper Blake Minchoff '13 following the end of the regular season.

"They're so important, because even ten seconds after we give up a goal, they're cheering louder than they were before. ... They lift the team."

"The support we've had from the fans has been great," said forward Lee Russo '13 after the team's 2-1 double-overtime victory over Babson College on September 19. "They're cheering you the whole way.

With the team's run to the Sweet 16 this year, and inception of "Coven's Corner," it should be exciting to see the growth of what has been a vibrant part of the Brandeis soccer culture.