Aug. 23, 2006

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Providence College women's soccer team will begin the 2006 regular season on Friday when they will travel to Worcester, Mass. to play Holy Cross at 4pm. The Friars will be looking to win their third consecutive season opener after defeating Maine last year and Marist in 2004. Providence has won the last six meetings against Holy Cross, outscoring them 11-4 over that span.

PROVIDENCE: The Providence College women's soccer team enters the 2006 season with another young squad. Second year PC coach Jim McGirr returns only two seniors this season and has added a nine freshmen to the roster. Seniors Erin Mastrodonato (Rochester, N.Y.) and Leah Vieira (Rochester, N.Y.) will be counted on to lead the team in order to improve upon their 5-11-2 mark of the 2005 season. After losing only three players to graduation, the Friars may be young this year but they do have enough experience and incoming talent to be competitive in the BIG EAST this fall.

HOLY CROSS: The Crusaders enter the 2006 season looking to improve their 3-15 record from a year ago. Third year Holy Cross coach Deb Flaherty returns 10 experienced starters from last season with all but one being a junior or senior. Lauren Pereira (Ludlow, Mass.) was the team's leading scorer last season with four goals and two assists. Holy Cross will host Manhattan on Sunday, August 27.

Providence returns to action on Wednesday, August 30 for their home opener against the University of Rhode Island.