St. John's University Athletics
St. John's University
Seton Hall
No. 4 St. John's Defeats Seton Hall, 3-1
10/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 15, 2008
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - Freshman Joakim Helland scored the game-winner, his first career goal, and the No. 4 St. John's men's soccer team defeated Seton Hall, 3-1, in a non-conference game between the local BIG EAST foes. Trevor Chiduku and Nelson Becerra each tallied a goal for the second-straight game. Neal Kitson made four saves in goal for St. John's (11-1-2). The Red Storm, meanwhile, has now tallied at least three goals in three-straight games for the first time since 1996. Carlos Salazar scored a goal and Paul McHenry made three saves for Seton Hall (6-6-2).
"Seton Hall is a very talented team and this was a hard-fought win," said head coach Dr. Dave Masur. "Our depth helped us once again tonight and we were able to put together some great offensive plays."
Ryan Soroka had the first shot of the game for the Red Storm in just the 2nd minute, but his attempt was blocked. Soroka later fired a shot high in the 8th minute. Sverre Wegge Gundhus tested McHenry for the first time in the 12th minute, but the save was made.
Kitson was then tested for the first time in the 14th minute, but the keeper made the stop on a header by Steven Rose.
After a shot by Ale Ivo was saved in the 16th minute, Chiduku put the Red Storm up 1-0. After Connor Lade served a pass through the defense, McHenry came out of the goal and Chiduku sent a shot into the back of the empty net.
In the 20th minute Seton Hall had the next scoring opportunity, but Dritan Sela fired wide. Jerry Saintil followed with an off-target shot in the 22nd minute, before Samuel Petrone had a shot blocked in the 26th minute. Petrone then fired a shot off-target before having another shot blocked.
A corner kick set up the next scoring opportunity for the Red Storm, but a header by Joel Gustafsson in the 39th minute went wide.
The Pirates had the next two scoring chances, but shots by Saintil and Brayan Martinez were both off-target.
In the 43rd minute Helland tallied his first career goal to put the Red Storm up 2-0. After a shot by Cristian Gonzalez was blocked by the defense, Soroka controlled the rebound. Soroka then sent a pass to Helland, who blasted a shot from 15-yards out into the left corner.
Martinez had another shot blocked in the 45th minute and the score remained 2-0 at halftime.
Becerra tallied his team-leading fifth goal in the 60th minute to give St. John's a 3-0 lead. After a centering pass from Tadeu Terra, Becerra sent a one-timer inside the post and past the keeper.
Kitson was tested in the 65th by a Brad Kersetter shot, but made his second save of the game. The Pirates, however, got on the board in the 77th minute. After collecting a rebound, Salazar sent a shot into the back of the net from 10-yards out.
In the 88th minute, Kitson made back-to-back saves on shots by Christian Vercollone and Saintil to keep it a 3-1 game.
St. John's hosts No. 12 USF at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 18. The two teams are currently tied for first in the BIG EAST Red Division.
Notes: St. John's last scored three or more goals in three consecutive games in 1996 when the Red Storm accomplished the feat in five straight games ... Helland is the 13th different player to tally a goal ... Becerra and Terra each have at least one point in three-straight games ... Lade tallied his second career assist.
