Aug. 31, 2007

Box Score

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Sophomore Jonathan Medcalf (Tulsa, Okla.) scored twice, including the game winner in the 102nd minute to lead the Providence College men's soccer team to a 2-1 double overtime victory over Sacred Heart in the season-opening match Friday afternoon at Glay Field.

Medcalf's winner came off a flicked through ball from senior All-American Ryan Maduro (Bristol, R.I.). Medcalf was able to get behind the defense and slide the ball past Sacred Heart goalkeeper Matt Jones. It marked Medcalf's first career two-goal game.

The Friars struck first in the 14th minute when Medcalf took advantage of a Sacred Heart turnover in the defensive end. Medcalf collected the loose ball and fired a shot from eight yards to give the Friars the lead. However, the lead was short-lived as the Pioneers evened the score just under two minutes later, converting on a corner kick. Ricarti Mendes sent an out-swinging corner kick to David Backman who volleyed a right-footed shot off the cross bar and into the net.

The Friars had several chances to take the lead, including senior Michael Narciso (Livingston, N.J.), whose header off a corner kick was cleared off the goal line to keep the match tied. The Friars continued to pressure in the first overtime as freshman Matt Marcin (Wilmington, Del.) fired a low shot that was saved by Jones. Minutes later, Providence nearly scored when senior Hadrien Toure (Lyon, France) had an open net, but was pushed away from the ball.

Providence is back in action on Monday, September 3 when they travel to Kingston, R.I. to take on the University of Rhode Island at 7:00 p.m.