Providence Eliminated From Tournament

Friars Can't Spell Old Dominion Defense

November 25, 2007

NORFOLK, Va. – The Providence men’s soccer team couldn’t overcome a second half goal and fell to Old Dominion, 1-0, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Saturday at the Old Dominion Soccer Stadium.

The Friars were eliminated from the tournament, their third consecutive appearance in the big dance, after surrendering a 67th minute goal to Old Dominion’s A.J. Kulp.

Providence (9-8-2) finished its third consecutive winning season, a feat not accomplished since the mid-80s. The Monarchs (13-6-3) will advance to the second round of the tournament against Brown this Wednesday.

The Friars controlled possession for most of the first half and outshot the Monarchs, 6-3, in the first 45 minutes. However, the Monarchs came close to opening the scoring when Bobby Foglesong drove a shot from 20 yards out that Friar junior goalie Timothy Murray (Haverhill, Mass.) was able to tip over his head and catch it before the ball cross the goal line.

The Friars' best scoring chance came in the 43rd minute when graduate Scott Hankard (Glastonbury, Conn.) struck a shot from 22 yards out that ODU goalkeeper Evan Newton pushed aside for a corner kick.

The Monarchs broke through in 67th minute when A.J. Kulp played a ball over the top down the right wing to Emmanuel Ambane who was able to run onto the ball and chip it over a diving Murray and into the net.

Murray finished with two saves for Providence while Newton stopped three shots for Old Dominion.

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