Providence Downs Connecticut

Friars Earns First Win Against Huskies Since '97

October 9, 2008

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Sophomore Matt Marcin’s strike in the 35th minute proved to be the difference as the Providence College men’s soccer team defeated No. 13/11 Connecticut, 1-0, Wednesday afternoon in a BIG EAST match at Glay Field.

The win, the Friars’ first win against the Huskies since September 10, 1997, ended a four-game losing streak and improved to 4-4-3 overall and 2-4-1 in the conference. The Huskies fell to 5-3-3 and 3-3-0 in league action.

Providence carried the play in the second half and finished with a 5-1 shot advantage in the first 45 minutes. The Friars took the lead in the 35th minute as senior Ryan Maduro (Bristol, R.I.) setup Marcin. Maduro gained control of the ball down the left flank, beat his defender before crossing the ball to Marcin, who fired a high left-footed shot into the top right corner of the net. It marked Marcin’s second goal of the season.

Maduro nearly helped the Friars gain a two-goal lead in the 61st minute when he possessed the ball down the right wing, weaved his way around a defender and fired a shot that was blocked. The rebound came right back to Maduro, who then played a cross to junior Timothy Ritter (Weston, Mass.), but Ritter’s left-footed attempt went just wide. The Huskies responded one minute later as Greg King gained control of the ball along the left side of the 18-yard box and fired a right-footed shot that went over the cross bar.

Ritter was on the prowl in the 65th minute when he was able to beat a pair of defenders to the ball and fired a shot, but it was deflected into the hands of UConn goalkeeper Josh Ford (two saves). The Friars were able to thwart any UConn chances later in the game and earned the win. In the 88th minute, freshman Daniel Fabian (Southbury, Mass.) nearly put the game away, but his right-footed shot from 20 yards out just missed over the cross bar.

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