Nov. 4, 2009
Final Stats
VILLANOVA, Pa. - An incredible shot from just near the center circle by Providence's Matt Marcin with 2:45 left on the clock found the back of the net and gave the Friars (9-6-3 overall) a 2-1 victory over Villanova (9-8-2) in a BIG EAST first round playoff match held here today on the West Campus Soccer Complex. With the victory, Providence advances to the BIG EAST quarterfinals, where it will face Blue Division champion Connecticut on Saturday night in Storrs.
In many respects, this was a game that mirrored the 2008 playoff match between these two squads, which ended with an identical 2-1 Friar win thanks to a pair of late goals.
The first half produced a total of only five shots and only one real scoring opportunity. That chance belonged to the Wildcats and they took advantage of a free kick opportunity just outside the 18-yard box. Chris Christian fired a curling shot off his left foot into the top shelf of the goal at 30:54 to stake Villanova to a 1-0 lead.
That was the score at intermission.
Providence kicked its offense into motion in the second half. Its best chance came in the 63rd minute when Marcin collected a ball that Villanova goalkeeper Chris Bresnahan couldn't fully secure. He stepped around the Wildcats keeper and lofted a ball towards the net. Christian, however, calmly deflected the ball out of harm's way to preserve the one goal lead.
But Providence kept the heat on and finally broke through at 79:01. John Raley sent a ball into the box that was deflected by a Wildcat defender to Marc Cintron. Cintron took his time and sent a low ball into the left side of the goal to knot matters at one.
The contest appeared headed to overtime with under three minutes remaining when Cintron played a simple pass to Marcin who was on the fringe of the center circle on the Villanova side of the field. He knocked the ball down to his feet, pivoted and sent a laser shot into the top left corner above Bresnahan's outstretched arm to stun the Wildcats and their crowd. With just 2:45 left, Providence owned its first lead of the day.
VU tried to mount a couple of threats in the final portion of regulation but was unable to get the equalizer.
Providence owned an 11-9 edge in shots and held a 5-1 advantage on corner kicks. Tim Murray made four saves in net while Bresnahan made three.
