NCAA: Friars Claim Big East Title

Photo credit: Providence College

Daniel Neustadter’s 81st minute game-winner allowed Providence College to claim the BIG EAST Championship in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Xavier at PPL Park in Chester, Pa.

Neustadter put Providence in position when he ran to the near post and put Rob Bialy’s pass through at the near post. Markus Naglestad scored the Friars’ first goal in the 26th minute, while Xavier’s Alex Risdale opened the scoring in the 23rd minute.

The BIG EAST title gave Providence an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The tournament field will be announced on Monday.

Friars are hoisting the #BIGEASTmsoc trophy after defeating the Musketeers 2-1 @PVDMensSOCCER pic.twitter.com/HJFJzCip5m

— BIG EAST Champs (@BIGEASTchamps) November 17, 2014

Providence’s push for the BIG EAST crown took an early hit due to a defensive miscue. Midway through the first half, a ball that the backline failed to clear fell to Risdale, who put it past keeper Keasel Broome to put the X-Men in front early.

But Xavier’s advantage was short-lived. Three minutes after Risdale’s opener, Julian Gressel sent a corner kick that was initially knocked out of harm’s way. But Gressel followed it up, and sent it back in box, where Naglestad knocked it through to level it in the 26th minute.

The X-Men nearly reclaimed their lead right before the break. Owen Steinwall fired a point blank shot in the box, but Broome was there to make a diving save to deny him.

With the championship in the balance, the Friars tightened up their defense, and in the waning minutes, the offense did its part, as well. Neustadter exploited a vulnerable Xavier defense in the 81st minute when he made a near post run and sank Bialy’s ball into the back of the net.