Sept. 16, 2008

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Providence College men's soccer team climbed to No. 20 in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Poll and No. 17 in the Soccer America Poll. Providence is one of seven BIG EAST teams in both polls.

The Friars (3-0-2), who are off to their best start since 2005, posted a 1-0 victory over previously unbeaten and No. 20/23 Georgetown in the BIG EAST Conference opener on Saturday, September 13 at Glay Field. Sophomore Michael Pereira (London, Ontario) scored in the 82nd minute to lead the way for the Friars. Most recently, the Friars played to a 0-0 draw against Northeastern on Monday, September 15 in Brookline, Mass.

Junior Timothy Ritter (Weston, Mass.) leads the team in scoring with one goal and two assists for four points, while three other Friars have one goal each. Junior goalkeeper Timothy Murray (Haverhill, Mass.) has started all five matches and has yielded just one goal in 490:00 of action. He has posted a 0.18 goals against average.

The Friars return to action this weekend with a pair of BIG EAST Conference home matches at Glay Field. On Friday, September 19, Providence will face Cincinnati at 3:00 p.m. Then on Sunday, September 21, the Friars will battle No. 19/16 Louisville at 1:00 p.m.