November 2, 1998

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Providence College sophomore back John Costigan of Dublin, Ireland was named BIG EAST Soccer Defensive Player of the Week and senior goalkeeper Dan Pires of Ludlow, Mass. earned BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week on Monday, October 26.

Costigan, who was named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, Oct. 26 as well, received his second consecutive Defensive Player of the Week honor after anchoring the Friar defense in PC's two BIG EAST shutouts last week. Costigan spearheaded the Friar defense to a 2-0 shutout against Boston College on Oct. 28 and a 0-0 tie against 13th ranked Seton Hall on Oct. 31 at South Orange, N.J. In 15 games this season, Costigan has recorded one goal and one assist.

Pires earned the BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week honor after posting consecutive shutouts in two BIG EAST games on Oct. 28 and 31. On Oct. 28, Pires recorded 10 saves in a 2-0 shutout against Boston College at PC. On Oct. 31, Pires made eight stops while holding the 13th ranked Seton Hall Pirates scoreless for 120 minutes in a 0-0 overtime tie at South Orange, N.J. Pires shutout against Seton Hall was his fifth this season. PC's senior captain has posted an 8-8-1 mark, a 1.35 goals against average and an .813 save percentage while playing in all but 40 of the team's 1,575 minutes of action this season.

Providence, which has posted an 8-8-1 overall record and a 6-4-1 mark in BIG EAST play, has clinched fifth place in league standings and a berth in the BIG EAST Playoffs for the first time since 1987. The Friars will play their final game of the regular season on Tuesday, Nov. 3 against Dartmouth at PC's Glay Field at 2:00 p.m. PC will travel to Georgetown to face the Hoyas on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 1:00 p.m. in the BIG EAST Quarterfinals.

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