St. John's University Athletics
Joseph, Matteo Selected in Second Round of MLS Draft
2/10/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Joseph, a two-time first-team All-BIG EAST honoree and third-team All-American this season, was selected in the second round (14th overall) by the New England Revolution. Matteo, a four-time All-BIG EAST honoree and the leagues Midfielder of the Year in 2001, was chosen by the Columbus Crew in the second round (20th overall).
Its a tremendous honor and were both really excited, Matteo said. I think we were both pretty surprised to go that high.
Joseph and Matteo, two of the teams three tri-captains this season, are the third and fourth St. Johns players, respectively, to ever be selected in the MLS Draft. The Revolutions selection of Joseph 14th overall is the highest an SJU player has ever been selected. Current Red Storm assistant coach Jesse Van Saun was selected in the second round of the 1997 draft, also by the Revolution. Former St. Johns All-American Stefani Miglioranzi, now playing with Portsmouth FC in the English first division, was a third round pick of the Chicago Fire.
Both seniors graduated from the University in December, which will allow both players to work out with their teams immediately. Joseph, who transferred to St. Johns last year, finished his bachelors degree in sports management, while Matteo, a member of the Universitys prestigious Presidents Society, leaves St. Johns with a 3.08 grade point average in computer science.
The seniors led St. Johns to its 10th BIG EAST Championship (combined regular season and tournament) in the last 11 years this year. The Red Storm finished the regular season with an 11-2-3 mark and posted three consecutive shutouts, with Joseph scoring the decisive goal in two of the three matches, to win their league record sixth conference tournament championship.
In the 2001 NCAA Tournament, the Red Storm posted consecutive home wins over Massachusetts and Penn State, with Joseph again scoring the decisive goals, and then defeated previously unbeaten and No. 1 ranked Southern Methodist to advance to the programs second-ever Final Four appearance. The Red Storm lost to eventual national runner-up Indiana, 2-1, in double overtime.
St. Johns finished the season with a 17-3-3 overall record and were ranked fourth in the country.
Joseph, who moved from his natural forward position to sweeper, spent the majority of the season on defense, but still finished third on the team in scoring with seven goals and four assists for 18 points. He led the Red Storm in scoring in 2000, with 14 goals and two assists for 30 points. His two-year career total of 21 goals rank 10th all-time at St. Johns.
Matteo, meanwhile, has been a mainstay for the Red Storm since his arrival in 1998, when he was a league all-rookie selection. He was a second-team selection as a sophomore in 1999, and chosen first-team in each of the last two seasons, including this year, when he was named the leagues Midfielder of the Year, and a second-team All-American. He led the team in scoring with season with nine goals and five assists for 23 points. Matteo had 17 goals and 21 assists for 55 career points.
