St. John's University Athletics
Ian Stone Named BigAppleSoccer.com Coach Of The Year
2/3/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Feb. 3, 2010
QUEENS, N.Y. - After leading his team to its most successful season in history, St. John's women's soccer coach Ian Stone has been named the BigAppleSoccer.com Women's Coach of the Year.
"This is such a great honor to receive after the season we had in 2009," Stone said. "The team played their hearts out and led us to one of our most successful years in history with an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. I am so proud of the team and my staff for all their hard work this year, and I have to thank our administration and fans for all their support."
Stone, who also was named the 2009 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Northeast Region Coach of the Year, led the Red Storm to its first-ever NCAA Tournament bid in the program's 23rd year of existence. The Red Storm played a tough game against Virginia on Nov. 13, as the teams battled to a scoreless tie in double overtime. The Cavaliers slipped past STJ in penalty kicks.
St. John's also made its second all-time appearance in the BIG EAST Championship Semifinals, playing another closely-decided contest to Notre Dame, a 2-1 overtime decision on Nov. 6.
The Red Storm, who finished the year with a 13-6-2 record, recorded the second-most wins in program history, only one from tying the record set in 1994. With six BIG EAST wins and eight home victories, the Red Storm tied the school records it set in 2007. STJ recorded 10 shutouts, which ties the record the team set in 2008.
St. John's entered the NSCAA Top 25 Poll for the first time ever, eventually rising to No. 17 on Sept. 28. The team also received its highest ranking in history in the Soccer America Poll when it was listed as No. 11 on Oct. 5.
The Red Storm recorded three Top 25 victories in 2009, nabbing 2-1 victories over then-No. 12 USC on Aug. 30 and then-No. 12 Indiana on Sept. 13, and posting a 1-0 win over then-No. 16 UConn on Sept. 24.
Stone guided Amanda Pasciolla, Nicole Doran, Nicole Pasciolla and Sarah McGrath to 2009 All-BIG EAST accolades, and his 2009 squad earned the NSCAA Team Academic Award for the seventh-straight year.
