Providence College
Head Coach Chaka Daley
round. It marked the first time in school history that Providence hosted a BIG EAST Tournament match. Providence defeated Louisville, 2-0, setting up a quarterfinal match at 15th-ranked Cincinnati. The Friars blanked the Bearcats, 2-0, and advanced to the BIG EAST Semifinals for the third time in four seasons. Daley also coached Ryan Maduro, who was selected to the NSCAA Division I All-America First Team, thus becoming the second Friar to be named to the All-America First Team in the 40-year history of the program. Daley also coached three players who earned All-BIG EAST honors, a first in the program’s history. In 2005, he guided his team to one of the most impressive seasons in the history of Friar soccer as the squad advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Friars registered a 7-4-9 mark and recorded one of the most improved records in NCAA history. The Friars finished 9.5 games better than the 2004 season, which tied the team for the 10th best turnaround in NCAA history. The team started the season with a nine-game unbeaten streak (4-0-5), which was the longest by a Friar team since the 1984 team was undefeated through 10 games. Daley’s team finished with a regular season record of 5-3-7, which included 3-3-4 mark in league play. He also led the Friars to their first win in BIG EAST Tournament play since 1984 with a 2-1 victory at Cincinnati on November 2, 2005 in the First Round. Daley then led the Friars back to the BIG EAST Semifinals for the second time in three years as they earned a 2-2 tie at No. 21 Seton Hall and advanced when they won the penalty kick shootout, 4-2. In the semifinals, the Friars earned a 0-0 tie against 16th-ranked USF, but did not advance to the Finals as they were defeated in the penalty kick shootout, 3-2. On November 14, it was announced that the Friars had been selected to participate in the 2005 NCAA Tournament. It marked the first time since 1983 and just the second time ever that the Friars advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Daley continued to lead the Friars to new heights as they earned their first NCAA Tournament win ever when they defeated 13th-ranked Hofstra, 1-0, in overtime in the First Round on November 18. The Friars magical season came to an end when they were defeated in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament at No. 2 North Carolina, 2-0, on November 22.
In recognition of his strong coaching performance, Daley earned NSCAA Division I New England Coach of the Year honors and was one of eight finalists for the NSCAA/Adidas National Coach of the Year accolades. He also saw two of his players earn All-BIG EAST honors. Sophomore Ryan Maduro was named to the Second Team and senior Eoin Lynch received Honorable Mention accolades. In 2003, Daley led his team to the BIG EAST Semifinals for the first time since 1987 where they lost, 1-0, to eventual BIG EAST Champions, Notre Dame. Daley’s 2002 squad posted a 5-5-0 mark in league play and a spot in the BIG EAST Tournament for the first time since 1998. The five BIG EAST wins marked a personal-high for Daley at the time. In addition, his senior midfielder Mauricio Solano earned All-BIG EAST Third Team honors. Daley is a solid recruiter and has brought a steady flow of talented players to Providence College. Daley replaced former Friar Head Coach Brian Ainscough, who led the rebuilding effort at Providence for five seasons. Daley served as Ainscough’s top assistant for four seasons. During his time as an assistant to Ainscough, Daley handled a variety of duties for the Friars, including assisting with the team’s defense and overseeing a number of administrative duties. A 1996 graduate of Providence, Daley brought solid credentials to the head coaching position. Besides being credited with helping turn around the Friar program as an assistant coach, Daley earned four varsity letters while playing for the black and white. He is one of the top players to ever play at Providence. He began his playing career with the Friars as a defender. Daley played his second and third seasons at the forward position before being shifted to defense again as a senior by Ainscough. Throughout his career, Daley recorded nine goals and six assists in 69 games. Daley, a native of Toronto, Ontario, played professional soccer after graduating from Providence. On June 14, 1999, he signed with the New England Revolution, becoming the first former-Friar to play in the MLS. Prior to signing with the Revolution, Daley played for the Revolution’s A-League affiliate, the Boston Bulldogs. He also spent one season with the Rhode Island Stingrays of the USL from 1996-97. Daley, his wife, Heather, son, Donovan, and daughter, Savanah reside in East Providence, R.I.
2011 Providence College Men’s Soccer • 16