NEW YORK, Berlin– Today (19 August) it was announced that Senior Luke Burns (Cinnaminson, NJ) of the Providence College men’s soccer program was named BIG EAST Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year. Junior Diego Batista (Barcelos, Portugal) joins Burns on the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team. It was also announced that the Friars were selected to finish second in the BIG EAST East Division.
Burns, a senior, has been the Friars’ starting goalkeeper since 2021. He has played in 50 games in his career and holds a 1.17 goals-against average and .708 save percentage. He has recorded 16 shutouts and a career record of 20-12-12. During the 2023 season, he recorded a career-high seven shutouts, which ranked him second in the BIG EAST. Last season, Burns was named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team, BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week (10/16/23) and College Soccer News Men’s National Team of the Week (10/16/23). Over the years, Burns has received numerous accolades, including a selection to the BIG EAST All-Tournament (2021). He was nominated three times for BIG EAST Goaltender of the Week and was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll twice.
Batista joined the Friars last season, where he started all 17 games for Providence. He finished the 2023 season with one goal and five assists, earning him a selection to the All-BIG EAST Second Team. Earlier this month (Aug. 9), Batista was named to the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Men’s Players To Watch 2024 list of midfielders to watch.
Providence was projected to finish second in the BIG EAST East Division. The Friars finished second in the BIG EAST East Division last season with an overall record of 8-6-3, including a 4-2-2 record in BIG EAST play.
For more news on the Providence men’s soccer program, follow the team on Twitter at @PCFriarsMSoccer.
– GO FORWARD, MONKS! –
