St. John's University Athletics
St. Johns Mens Soccer Ranked Third Nationally
8/26/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
The Red Storm, the 2001 BIG EAST Tournament Champions and NCAA Final Four participant, are ranked third by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and in the CollegeSoccerNews.com poll.
St. Johns was picked third in both national polls behind Indiana and Stanford, both national semifinalists with the Red Storm last season. North Carolina (another national semifinalist from the 2001 season), Virginia, Connecticut, Rutgers, SMU, Clemson and Maryland rounded out the top-10.
Under the direction of 11th-year head coach Dave Masur, the Red Storm opened training camp earlier this month. The Red Storm played to a 0-0 tie at George Mason this past weekend, and scrimmaged against a team of alumni.
The Red Storm, 17-3-3 overall last season, and 6-2-1 in the BIG EAST, will be led by junior captain Chris Wingert (Babylon, N.Y.), the BIG EASTs Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, and the only unanimous selection to the conferences preseason all-star team.
The team opens up its 2002 season on Saturday with a tough test, facing 24th-ranked Boston College on the road. The Eagles (10-8-0) are led by Casey Schmidt, the BIG EASTs preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
Following the opener, the Red Storm will return home, hosting the St. Johns Tournament with perennial national power Indiana, Florida International and William & Mary in the field.
