October 15, 2008

MEN'S SOCCER HEADS TO PROVIDENCE TO TAKE ON FRIARS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON

SMITHFIELD, RI- The Bryant Bulldogs play just one game this week, as they head to Providence to take on the Friars in a Wednesday afternoon battle. The Bulldogs have just two games remaining on their schedule with the game at Providence and then traveling to Albany next week. Bryant has had over a week off in between games since suffering a 1-0 loss to 24^th ranked Brown last Tuesday. The squad played some of their best soccer of the season, pushing the Bears to the wire and just missing some golden opportunities to score. Keeper Andrew Snell (South Salem, N.Y.) made five saves in net for the Bulldogs. The meeting will be the first between the two squads since 1982. Bryant head coach Seamus Purcell was a standout at Providence, becoming the first Friar to earn First Team All-American accolades for the school back in 1987. He was inducted into the Providence College Athletic Hall of Fame earlier this year. The Bulldogs will try to carry the momentum from Brow into this battle with the Friars who have had a solid season heading into the contest.

Scouting the Friars
Providence (5-4-3, 3-4-1 Big East) has played a very tough Big East schedule this season, having already taken on three top-25 ranked teams. The Friars are 1-2-0 versus the top-25, beating the 13^th ranked Connecticut Huskies, 1-0, at Glay Fied last week. Providence is also 5-1-1 at home this season, the lone loss coming at the hands of fifth ranked St. John's, 1-0. Following this game with the Bulldogs, the Friars will take on 15^th ranked Notre Dame

Coming off back-to-back, 1-0, victories, the Friars had two players earn honors from the Big East last week, with goalkeeper Timothy Murray being named Goalkeeper of the Week with his two shutouts in net, and Chris Stoker named Rookie of the Week. Stoker scored the game-winning goal against West Virginia, while Murray had his sixth and seventh clean sheets of the season.

Fresh Faces
The Bulldog roster features 14 freshman this year, as well as two transfers. The new class has accounted for nine of the thirteen total points for the team. Freshman Ben Mello (Rehoboth, Mass.) leads the team in points with four (2g, 0a) on the season, including the game tying goal in the 88^th minute at Pittsburgh. Classmate Robb Rodriguez (North Branford, Conn.) is second on the team with three points (1g, 1a), while Anthony Restivo (Lisbon, Conn.) and Nicholas Parisi (Holbrook, N.Y.) have each notched one assist. 

Follow Bulldog Action Live
Follow the action as the Bulldogs take on the Friars with live stats provided by Providence.