Nov. 5, 2008
Final Stats
PROVIDENCE,R.I. - A goal by Providence's Bryan Minogue off a corner kick with 1:27 left broke a 1-1 tie and lifted the Friars (9-6-3) past Villanova (7-10-2 overall) in a BIG EAST Tournament opening round game played here on an overcast afternoon. The loss ends the Wildcats' season while Providence advances to a quarterfinal match with the No. 1 seed in the Red Division, St. John's, on Saturday night.
The 'Cats generated some excellent scoring chances in the first half. Freshman Kevin Garcia sent a header over the Providence net in the third minute and junior Mike Seamon forced Friar goalie Tim Murray to make a save on a shot near the inside post in the 11th minute.
Villanova nearly picked up a goal 35 minutes into the half when Murray failed to make contact when he attempted to one-time a kick on a ball rolling to him near the top of the box. The ball rolled toward the left inside post and appeared ticketed for the net before a diving Murray managed to get a hand on the ball before it rolled over the goal line.
At 6:48, Providence got the game's first goal on a set piece. Ryan Maduro served a free kick into the box that Timothy Ritter got a head on and the ball went past Wildcat keeper Chris Bresnahan to put the Friars on top.
The 'Cats did not let that setback deter them, though. They nearly scored on their next rush and then broke through with 52 seconds left in the half. Murray lost control of a ball that Villanova pushed into the box while sliding to knock the ball away from a charging 'Cat. The ball came out to Seamon 16 yards out and he calmly struck a low, hard shot into the far corner of the net.
The game remained knotted at halftime.
The second half produced terrific action and several near misses for both squads. In the 65th minute freshman Matt Margiotta sent a blast from the top of the box that ricocheted off the left post. And in the 69th save Bresnahan made a spectacular leaping save on Michael Narciso after he broke in on the left side.
The contest appeared headed to overtime before Providence was awarded a corner kick with just over 90 seconds left to play in regulation. The corner was sent into the box and a scrum for possession ensued. The ball ended up on the foot of Minogue, who sent a blast along the grass into the net to put Providence in front.
Villanova earned one last chance with a corner kick with 48 seconds left. The ball came to Seamon after a struggle for possession but his shot sailed just wide to the right of the net.
Bresnahan finished the game with five saves while Murray was credited with three for the Friars.
