Nov. 19, 2005

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Providence College men's soccer squad, which is making its second appearance all-time in the NCAA Tournament and first since 1983, will play the second-ranked University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Tuesday, November 22 at 6:00 p.m. in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. The Friars, 7-3-9, were one of 25 at-large teams selected for the Tournament. North Carolina, 15-3-3, earned an at-large berth and a No. 4 seed in the Tournament. The Tar Heels received a bye in the First Round of the Tournament. The winner of the PC/UNC game will play the winner of the South Florida/Virginia game on November 26 or 27.

The Friars continued their incredible season on Friday, November 18 with a 1-0 overtime win at Hofstra in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. The Friars have recorded one of the most improved records in NCAA history. Last season, PC finished with a 0-16 record. They are 10 games better than last season, which is tied for the seventh best turnaround in NCAA history. In league play, the Friars finished sixth in the BIG EAST Blue Division (3-3-4) and advanced to the BIG EAST Semifinals where they tied 16th-ranked South Florida in double overtime. South Florida advanced to the finals as they won the penalty kick shootout (3-2).

The Friars are led on offense by senior forward Eoin Lynch (Yarmouth, Maine). Lynch leads the Friars in scoring for the fourth consecutive season with 22 points (nine goals, four assists). Lynch ranks second all time at Providence in goals (27) and third in points (61). Lynch scored his team leading ninth goal of the season in the Friars' 1-0 overtime victory at Hofstra on November 18.

Saturday's game will mark the first meeting ever between Providence and North Carolina. North Carolina recorded a 3-3-2 mark in ACC action and finished the season tied for fifth place. North Carolina, which is making its 14th appearance all-time in the NCAA Tournament (15-12-0), advanced to the finals of the 2005 ACC Tournament and played to a 0-0 tie with Duke. Duke earned the conference title after winning the penalty kick shootout, 5-4. Freshman midfielder Scott Campbell leads the Tar Heels in scoring with 26 points (10 goals, six assists).

Providence is one of seven BIG EAST teams selected to the Tournament (St. John's, West Virginia, Connecticut, South Florida, Notre Dame and Seton Hall).

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