Providence College soccer ruling may shape future athlete cases in RI
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PROVIDENCE – An emergency motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction involving a Providence College men's soccer player has been denied in Providence Superior Court.
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Friars midfielder Cameron Yriondo was seeking a fifth year of eligibility from the NCAA in accordance with the organization's amended bylaws, which were formally adopted Aug. 1. Judge Sarah Taft-Carter issued her ruling in the case Wednesday, Sept. 30.
"The court recognizes his achievements and is sympathetic toward him because of the consequences of this decision," Taft-Carter wrote. "However, after a complete analysis, this court concludes that plaintiff’s emergency motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction is denied."
Yriondo sought a fifth season of eligibility under the NCAA's amended bylaws, which were formally adopted ahead of the 2026-27 academic year. The rule changes offer a 5-in-5 period for student-athletes beginning with the Class of 2023 – five years of eligibility for student-athletes over five calendar years. The NCAA eliminated exemptions or additional years for redshirts, medical waivers and hardship waivers with the creation of the new guidelines.
"(Yriondo) exhausted his eligibility after playing in the 2025-26 season under the Four-Seasons-in-Five-Years Rule," Taft-Carter wrote. "Because the Five-Year Period of Eligibility did not confer eligibility onto plaintiff, he has failed to establish a reasonable likelihood of success on the merits of his breach of contract claim."
Yriondo played for Division II Seattle Pacific in the 2022 and 2023 seasons before a transfer to Virginia. He spent 2024 with the Cavaliers before a move to Providence, where he started in 14 of 16 appearances with the Friars in 2025. Yriondo is listed as a graduate student on the current roster and is pursuing a master's degree in business administration.
Yriondo played in Providence's opening match of the season, a 4-1 home win over Sacred Heart. He started in the midfield and recorded an assist on the opening goal for the Friars. Yriondo also recorded a lone shot on goal.
Yriondo did not play in Providence's following match, a 3-2 defeat at Quinnipiac on Aug. 24. The period between those meetings with the Pioneers and Bobcats included a federal district court judge in Colorado staying a preliminary injunction granting Class of 2022 athletes a fifth year of eligibility. Wisne v. NCAA was filed in July and alleged antitrust violations.
Taft-Carter's ruling said Yriondo explored his professional options in Spain at the close of the 2025-26 academic year but did not sign a contract with any club. He was contacted by Providence coach Craig Stewart after the Wisne injunction was issued and accepted an offer to return to the Friars for a second season. Yriondo began practicing with the team in early August and was deemed fit to take the pitch for the opener.
Yriondo filed his complaint against the NCAA in early September, alleging four counts – breach of contract, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, arbitrary and capricious action by a voluntary athletic association and declaratory judgement. The NCAA filed its opposition on Sept. 15, and Yriondo followed with a pair of supplemental memorandums prior to the decision.
"The harm alleged by plaintiff is his inability to play soccer at a high level," Taft-Carter wrote. "Plaintiff competed in four seasons of collegiate soccer. At the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, he had exhausted his eligibility. He was therefore ineligible to play in the 2026-27 season.
"As he was ineligible under the previous Four-Seasons-in-Five-Years Rule, he remained ineligible under the Five-Year Period of Eligibility Bylaw. Furthermore, plaintiff concedes he exhausted his eligibility and began exploring an opportunity to continue his soccer career abroad.
"The benefits of competition cannot only be conferred through collegiate competition. Plaintiff acknowledged this sentiment in seeking non-collegiate opportunities after he exhausted his eligibility. Furthermore, plaintiff’s continued aspirations are speculative. Here, plaintiff has not demonstrated that he will suffer irreparable harm upon the denial of his motion."
This ruling could establish precedent for similar circumstances elsewhere in the state. University of Rhode Island football players AJ Peña and Justin Carcel are still awaiting a ruling on a similar filing made in Washington County Superior Court. Taft-Carter was the presiding judge in that case when it was first heard in September.
Providence also has a pair of men's basketball players practicing with the team who would be ineligible without being granted a fifth year. South Florida guard Joseph Pinion and Saint Joseph's guard Derek Simpson have yet to pursue a legal option and, according to Thursday comments by Friars coach Bryan Hodgson, are currently proceeding with NCAA.
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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence College soccer ruling may shape future athlete cases in RI