St. John's University Athletics
St. John's Past And Present Enjoy Successes In 2005
11/30/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 30, 2005
QUEENS, N.Y. - The St. John's program and its alumni base had yet another strong year in 2005, with the 2005 Red Storm making its 14th straight trip to the NCAA Tournament and 10th straight trip to the NCAA's Round of 16. Matt Groenwald was a semifinalist on the Hermann Trophy Watch List and was one of five St. John's players to be named to All-BIG EAST first- and second-teams. Groenwald (First-Team) Jason Landers (First-Team), Steven Old (First-Team), Jeff Carroll (Second-Team) and Garry Lewis (Second-Team) were all-conference selections, with Landers also becoming the first goalkeeper in program history to be named the BIG EAST's Goalkeeper of the Year.
Off the field, St. John's continued its tradition of strong work in the classroom and in the community. Groenwald, Old and Sebastian Alvarado-Ralph were all ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District choices, the most in St. John's district and the most in school history. Groenwald, the 2004 men's soccer Academic All-American of the Year, went on to earn first-team Academic All-America honors for the third season in a row.
Some Red Storm alumni also had career years, notably Shalrie Joseph (2000-01) and Brent Sancho (1996-97). Joseph was a serious contender for MLS Most Valuable Player honors, an award New England Revolution teammate, Taylor Twellman eventually won. Joseph scored six goals and had five assists in leading the Revs to the MLS Cup. Sancho saw time as a defender in his native Trinidad and Tobago's run to qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Prior to international play, Sancho competed as a defender for Dundee of the Scottish Premier League.
- Joseph Fuels Revolution's Engine, MLSnet.com - Nov. 10, 2005
Bill Gaudette and Chris Wingert, teammates for four years at St. John's, embarked on their second season as teammates for Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew. Wingert, a defensive midfielder, started 20 games for the Crew, while Gaudette continued to surprise by making five starts in goal. Ryan Kelly was also a member of the Columbus Crew and made appearances in seven games, including three starts as a defender.
Jeff Matteo (1998-2001) scored two goals and finished second on his team with four assists for the Minnesota Thunder of the A-League. Tim O'Neill (2001-03) was also in the A-League, appeared in 27 games with the Virginia Beach Mariners and totaled four goals and nine points. Earlier this month, O'Neill signed a professional contract with the Philadelphia KiXX of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL).
Stefani Miglioranzi (1996-98), a member of the 1996 national championship team, has been playing overseas for the past four years as a center midfielder for Swindon of the English First Division. In a recent match against rival Bristol City, Miglioranzi was named Man of the Match (read BigAppleSoccer.com feature below).
- Like Old Times, BigAppleSoccer.com - Nov. 14, 2005