Aug. 30, 2007

Providence, R.I. - The Providence College men's soccer team will face off against the Pioneers of Sacred Heart University on Friday, August 31 at 3:00 p.m. in the season opening match at Glay Field. Friday will mark the 10th all-time meeting between the two teams. Providence currently leads the series 8-0-1. Last season, the Friars defeated Sacred Heart 4-1, on August 25.

The Friars, looking to make an unprecedented third-straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament, return eight starters from last season's team that finished with a 13-7 overall record. Under the direction of head coach Chaka Daley, who is entering his eighth season, Providence set a school record for most BIG EAST victories (7) and fell just one shy of the school record for overall victories (14). PC advanced to the BIG EAST Tournament Semifinals for the third time in four years before falling 2-0 to eventual BIG EAST Tournament champion, St. John's. The Friars earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season, a first in the program's 39-year history.

The 2007 Friars will be led by senior tri-captain Ryan Maduro (Bristol, R.I.) who finished the season with three goals and four assists. Maduro became only the second Friar ever to earn NSCAA First Team All-America honors. He also earned First Team All-NSCAA Northeast Region honors and First Team All-BIG EAST accolades. Senior tri-captain Alex Bury (Shrewsbury, Mass.) will patrol the midfield along with Maduro. Bury finished the season second on the team with five goals and 12 points.

Sacred Heart returns all 11 starters to begin the 2007 season after posting a 7-10-1 record, including a 3-6 mark in the Northeast Conference. The Pioneers were eliminated from post-season play with a loss in the season finale against eventual NEC Tournament champion, Monmouth University. Sacred Heart is led by sophomore forward Jesper Fredriksson (Gothenburg, Sweden) who ranked second among NEC freshmen with six goals and 14 points.