St. John's University Athletics
SJU Mens Soccer Set to Host Nike Classic
10/26/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
The weekends final match will pit two of the nations powerhouses, with the Red Storm (8-0-3, 4-0-3 BIG EAST) playing the Buckeyes, who are 8-3-2 overall and 1-2-1 in the Big 10.
This will be a great weekend for college soccer, St. Johns Head Coach Dave Masur said. Were hoping fans from both Long Island and Queens will be able to make it for all of the matches. Weve got a big conference game on Friday night at home, and then we have to bounce back and play one of the better teams in the country, so itll be a challenge. We think this weekend will be great to watch.
St. Johns enters this weekend as one of only four teams with no losses ranked among the top-25 by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (joined by No. 1 Southern Methodist, No. 2 Virginia and No. 3 St. Louis). The team opened the season up by winning the Indiana University Classic, beating national powers Indiana and Butler, and had a strong showing at the Rutgers University Classic, posting consecutive 2-1 wins over Cal-State Fullerton and Duke.
The Red Storm first host the Orangemen on Friday night on the Jamaica, Queens campus. Syracuse enters the match ranked 18th nationally with a 7-4-1 overall mark and a 4-3-1 slate in the BIG EAST.
On Sunday, the Red Storm face another stiff test, hosting perennial national power Ohio State at Adelphi. The Buckeyes have been led by junior midfielder Andy Rosenband, who has tallied a team-high five goals and four assists for 14 points, and classmate John Tomaino, who is second on the team in scoring with four goals and three assists for 11 points.
The Red Storm have been led a staunch defense this season that has allowed only six goals and has posted five shutouts. Leading the way is sophomore center-back and tri-captain Chris Wingert (Babylon, N.Y.), who has also scored three goals this season.
Seniors Jeff Matteo (Stormville, N.Y.) and Shalrie Joseph (Brooklyn, N.Y.), the Red Storms other captains, have been integral members of this years squad. Matteos play in the midfield has helped direct the SJU offense and leads the team in scoring with five goals for 10 points. Joseph, who normally plays forward, moved to sweeper after injuries and has excelled in both areas. He has two goals and two assists for six points, but his play on defense has helped the Red Storm maintain its traditional stand as one of the top teams in the country.
Tickets for games at Adelphi and St. Johns are $4, and $2 with a valid student identification.
The St. Johns mens soccer team also announced schedule changes for its next game, against Yale on Wednesday, October 31. The game has been moved to Hoyta Field in Franklin Square, New York, and will kick off at 2:30 p.m., with no charge for admission.