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HOCKEY

Murray promoted to Providence

The Boston Bruins have promoted Rob Murray to head coach of the team's American Hockey League affiliate in Providence. Murray had been an assistant coach with Providence for the last five seasons. He replaces Scott Gordon, the reigning AHL coach of the year who was hired last week as head coach of the New York Islanders. Murray spent most of his 16-year playing career in the AHL, ranking sixth in league history with 1,018 games played and second in penalty minutes with 2,940. His No. 23 was retired by the Springfield Falcons last year.

LOCAL

BMR coach takes a college job

Blackstone-Millville boys' tennis coach Barry Gorman is moving on to become the head men's and women's tennis coach at Bridgewater State. Gorman, a Hopedale native, played for the Bears from 2005-2008, capturing the second flight singles title at the Little East tournament this past spring, capping a 14-0 year in singles play.

The Worcester State College women's soccer team was ranked 21st in the nation in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division 3 national preseason coaches' poll. The Lancers have made four NCAA tournament appearances in each of the last four seasons and they have captured four-straight MASCAC championships in the process. Last year the program reached the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 round before bowing out to Western Connecticut, 2-1, in double overtime.

The Holy Cross women's soccer team was picked to finish seventh out of eight teams in the Patriot League preseason poll. Defending league champion Navy led the voting. The Crusaders open the season at 1 p.m. Sunday when they host the University of New Hampshire.

Pat Scavone and Jay Eldridge both had two hits and homered as the Worcester Vipers topped the Shrewsbury Colt 45's, 7-3, in the Central Mass. Adult League baseball playoffs at Tivnan Field last night. Worcester leads the best-of-five series, 1-0, with the second game at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Tivnan Field. Ed Riley had two hits for Shrewsbury.

GOLF

Six locals get into Mid-Amateur

Six local players got into the field on the last day of qualifying for the Mass. Mid-Amateur yesterday at Haverhill Country Club. Matt Bianchini of Mount Pleasant led the field with a 71. Also making the draw were Steve Heffernan of Juniper Hill (75), Joseph Rabbitt of The International (78), Matthew Leger of Sterling National (78), Frank De Piano of Mount Pleasant (80) and John Gale of Ellinwood (80). Matt Dunn of Wachusett also shot an 80 and was the second alternate.