Oct. 13, 2008

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -

It was announced this afternoon that Providence College junior men's soccer player Timothy Murray (Haverhill, Mass.) was named BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week, while Chris Stoker (Holden, Mass.) garnered BIG EAST Rookie of the Week accolades. It marks the second time in his career that Murray has received the league goalkeeper of the week honors as he also did it in 2007. For Stoker, it marks the first time this season that he has earned the honor.

The duo helped Providence post a pair 1-0 wins last week as the Friars climbed into a second-place tie in the BIG EAST Blue Division. On Wednesday, October 8, Providence defeated No. 13/11 Connecticut, 1-0, at Glay Field. It marked Providence's first win over UConn since 1997. Murray collected his sixth clean sheet of the season. On Saturday, October 11, Murray made a season-high six saves to help lead the Friars to a 1-0 win over West Virginia. Murray made two consecutive diving stops in the 48th minute to maintain Providence's 1-0 edge.

Stoker came off the bench late in the first half against West Virginia and just over two minutes later he scored the lone goal of the match in the 41st minute to give Providence the lead. Junior A.J. Brown (Fort Myers, Fla.) played a long ball to Stoker whose header from 12 yards out found the lower left corner of the net. It marked Stoker's first collegiate goal.

Providence (5-4-3 overall, 3-4-1 BIG EAST) will host Bryant University on Wednesday, October 15 in a non-conference match beginning at 3:00 p.m. at PC's Glay Field.