Sept. 26, 2007

Providence, R.I. - The Providence College men's soccer team will play host to BIG EAST foe Syracuse on Friday, September 28, and St. John's on Sunday, September 30. Both matches will be held at Glay field beginning at 3:00 p.m.

The Friars (4-3, 1-1) are looking to improve upon their record following a weekend that saw them split their opening BIG EAST matches of the season. In the first match of the weekend, Providence was able to defeat DePaul, 2-0, on Friday, September 21, handing the Blue Demons their first loss of the season.

In the BIG EAST season opener, Providence was led by senior All-American Ryan Maduro (Bristol, R.I.) who scored the game winner and also assisted on the second tally. In the 43rd minute, Maduro was able to get on the end of a Michael Narciso (Livingston, N.J.) cross to the far post and volley home his second goal of the year. The goal also marked the first that DePaul has yielded this season. Maduro setup the second goal, which sealed the victory in the 79th minute as he sent a cross to freshman Matt Marcin (Wilmington, Del.) who was able to connect for his second tally of the year.

In the second match of the weekend, Providence was ousted, 3-1, by No. 16 University of South Florida. The Friars' lone goal was scored by sophomore forward Jonathan Medcalf (Tulsa, Okla.) on an assist from classmate Justin Kahle (Oceanport, N.J.). The second half goal marked the team-leading fourth time that Medcalf has found the back of the net.

Providence hopes to build their national resume as two regionally ranked teams make the trip to Providence this coming weekend. Syracuse (4-1-3, 1-1) is coming off a recent split of their opening BIG EAST contests as they were able to defeat Pittsburgh, 2-0, but lost in overtime, 1-0, to No. 8 West Virginia. The Orange are led by sophomore forward Hansen Woodruff (Stuart, Fla.) who currently leads the team with six goals and four assists for a total of 16 points. In goal for Syracuse is junior Robert Cavicchia (North York, Ontario) who boasts a 0.57 goals against average having relinquished only four goals on the season.

St. John's (4-3-1, 2-0) is hoping to continue their winning ways following a pair of BIG EAST victories this past weekend. The Red Storm followed a 1-0 victory at home over West Virginia on Friday with a 4-1 defeat of Pittsburgh on Sunday afternoon. St. John's will look towards sophomores Adam Himeno (Atlanta, Ga.) and Ryan Soroka (Langhorne, Pa.) who lead the team with five and four points each, respectively. In their last meeting, St. John's defeated Providence, 2-0, in the semifinals of the 2006 BIG EAST Tournament.

The Friars continue the action in the BIG EAST on Saturday, October 10, when they travel to Washington, D.C. to face off against Georgetown in a 1:00 p.m. contest.