Villanova University

Nov. 3, 2008

The Villanova Wildcats and Providence Friars haven't seen much of each other over the past four seasons but that will change on Wednesday afternoon when the squads square off in the opening round of the BIG EAST Conference Tournament in Rhode Island at 2:00 p.m.

The teams did not meet in the regular season as the Friars earned a No. 4 seed in the Blue Division while the `Cats were posting a 4-5-2 overall league record for 14 points in the Red Division to finish in fifth place. Providence completed its regular season with an 8-6-3 overall mark, 5-5-1 in the BIG EAST. Villanova ended the campaign with a 7-9-2 overall record.

This is Villanova's first meeting with the Friars since 2006, when Providence picked up a 3-1 victory on its home pitch. From 1990-2004, the two teams met every season.

"There is some unfamiliarity between us and it could have a little impact on the game," says Carlin. "We will be playing in a tough environment against a team our players haven't seen a lot of."

Carlin, though, is well aware of the challenges the Friars present.

"They are a very tough team to score against," he notes. "This is a group that plays well at home and is very sound defensively. And they have an All-American midfielder in Ryan Maduro."

This will be Villanova's fourth BIG EAST Tournament appearance in the last five seasons. Yet despite a pair of ties against Georgetown that resulted in the Hoyas advancing on penalty kicks in shootouts, the `Cats have yet to advance to the next round of the BIG EAST Tournament.

"We now have an opportunity to do something that has never been done by this program," says Carlin.

Villanova has relied on its defense this season, recording seven shutouts and posting an 0.96 goals against average.

"One of the real positives for us this season has been our back line," states Carlin. "It was kind of a question mark coming into the year but it has kept us in almost every game."

The back wall is anchored by sophomore Chris Christian and senior Adam Brazitis in the middle, with senior Miles Harrison holding down one spot on the outside and sophomore Nick Rouzier and Kevin Garcia working the other outside slot. They have been backed up by freshman goalkeeper Chris Bresnahan, who has played every minute in net for VU in 2008.

"Chris has played like a veteran for us back there," says Carlin. "He's been very solid for us."

Mike Seamon ended the campaign as Villanova's points leader with 10. Seamon has led VU in scoring in each of his first three seasons in the lineup and will doubtless be a point of emphasis for Providence. Senior Joe Taylor and sophomore Sean Mergenthal each provided six points apiece.

"We feel like we're ready for the postseason," states Carlin. "Over the course of the season we proved we can play with anyone in the BIG EAST. Now we have the opportunity to win a game in the playoffs and that's something we are all excited about. We know that Providence is tough but we feel we are too.

"I really like the resiliency our guys have shown over the course of the year. We've had some ups and downs but we have hung together and stuck to the game plan. There's a lot of heart on this team and we're certainly excited about this opportunity. This will be a hostile environment against a good team but that's not anything we haven't faced this season."

The winner of this contest advances to a Saturday night match at St. John's, one of the four BIG EAST squads that received a first round bye.