Men's Soccer Crowned BIG EAST Champions

Nov. 16, 2014

CHESTER, Pa. -- The Providence College men's soccer team came back from a one-goal deficit to claim the program's first BIG EAST Championship Title by defeating Xavier, 2-1, at PPL Park on Sunday evening (Nov. 16). Freshman Daniel Neustadter (Mainz, Germany) scored the game-winning goal for the Friars at 80:46.

Xavier got out to a 1-0 in the 23rd minute of the game. The Musketeers' Alex Risdale found the back of the net after knocking in a deflected ball in the Providence box.

But the Friars responded quickly for the equalizer. After a Dominik Machado (Attleboro, Mass.) shot was saved by Xavier goalkeeper Vince Shaw, Providence's Julian Gressel (Neustadt an der Aisch) took a corner kick. The ball ended up back on the flank with Gressel, who headed the ball to Markus Naglestad (Kristiansand, Norway) 12-yards out in the center of the Xavier box. Naglestad then fired a shot into the top right of the net to tie the game, 1-1, at 25:06. The goal was Naglestad's ninth of the season.

Providence demonstrated great defense around the 35-minute mark as a diving Jeff Kilday (Marshfield, Mass.) and Brandon Adler (Montville, N.J.) blocked a series of Xavier chances from inside the box.

Then, at 42:00 red-shirt goalkeeper Keasel Broome (Claymont, Del.) made a beautiful diving save after Xavier's Owen Steinwall shot the ball directly in front of the goal from eight-yards out, as the score remained 1-1 at the half.

The teams traded chances for the majority of the second half, but neither could gain the advantage.

Then Neustadter put the Friars up 2-1 with 10 minutes remaining in the second half. Senior Rob Bialy (East Greenwich, R.I.) crossed the ball from the right side of the field to Neustadter, who slid in to direct the cross past Shaw at the near post. It was Neustadter's second goal of the season, with the other coming in overtime at Brown (Sept. 12).

Broome finished with four saves, while Shaw had two. Xavier (13-5-2, 6-1-2 BE) led the match in corner kicks, 6-3, and shots 15-13.

The BIG EAST All-Tournament Team was named on completion of the game. Four Friars were named to the team, including Broome, Adler, Gressel and Naglestad. Naglestad also was named Most Outstanding Offensive Player, while Adler was named Most Outstanding Defensive Player.

"I thought it was a hard fought game and credit to Xavier for proving to be a tough and gritty opponent," said head coach Craig Stewart. "I am proud of the boys for showing tremendous character, perseverance and moments of quality at the right times which helped us come out on top. Today we were able to create program history and I am delighted for the boys and staff who were apart of this. As a team we would like to dedicate our first BIG EAST Championship to all the former players, coaches and staff who have fought long and hard for this day. We hope to continue to make our alums and Friar family proud."

Up next for Providence (13-4-2, 5-2-2 BE) is the 2014 NCAA Tournament. The selection show for the NCAA Tournament is set to air tomorrow (Nov. 17) at 1:00 p.m. on NCAA.com.

- Go Friars -

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Team Stats

Markus Naglestad

Daniel Neustädter

Julian Gressel

Rob Bialy

Players Mentioned

Brandon Adler

Rob Bialy

Keasel Broome

Julian Gressel

Jeff Kilday

Dominik Machado

Markus Naglestad

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