St. John's University Athletics
St. John's University
FDU
Offense Propels No. 25/24 St. John's To 5-0 Win Against FDU
9/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 11, 2010
QUEENS, N.Y. - Playing in front of the third-largest crowd in Belson Stadium history (2,202), the No. 25/24 St. John's men's soccer team surged to a 5-0 win against FDU in the home-opener. Adam Himeno tallied his eighth-career game-winner and Pablo Battuto Punyed added two goals to lead St. John's (2-1-0). Tadeu Terra added a goal and two assists, while Dom Sarle tallied his first-career goal. Rafael Diaz made three saves and combined with Alex Naples on the shutout. Jacob Lissek had two saves for FDU (1-2-0).
"The fans were fantastic tonight and created a really exciting atmosphere for the game," said head coach Dr. Dave Masur. "We were able to spread the ball wide and generate a lot of good opportunities."
St. John's had the first scoring opportunity of the game after an FDU foul set up a free kick from 25-yards out in the 7th minute. The ensuing shot by Terra, however, sailed high.
The only shot FDU had in the first half came in the 12th minute as Dominic Reinold pushed a shot wide of net.
St. John's nearly found the back of the net in the 13th minute, but Jacob Lissek came out of net to make a save on a John Tardy breakaway attempt. Jimmy Mulligan gathered the rebound, but had his shot blocked by the defense.
In the 14th minute, however, the Red Storm took a 1-0 lead. Following a pass from Connor Lade, Terra centered the ball into the box. Himeno then one-timed a header past Lissek into the upper corner from 10-yards out.
After Adrian L'Esperance had a shot saved in the 22nd minute, a hand ball by an FDU defender was called and St. John's was awarded a penalty kick. Lissek was injured on the play and James McPeake entered the game. Terra promptly slid a shot into the bottom corner to give the Red Storm a 2-0 advantage.
The Red Storm added a goal in the 44th minute to take a 3-0 lead just before halftime. After Terra slotted a pass towards the right corner of the 18-yard box, Sarle ripped a shot from the right side and into the far corner for his first-career goal.
The Knights had their first shot on goal in the 50th minute as Jonathan Gonzalez sent a slow roller towards net, but Diaz made the save.
St. John's extended its lead to 4-0 in the 60th minute. After passes from Walter Hines and Sverre Wegge Gundhus, Battuto Punyed ripped a shot on net that deflected off an FDU defender and past the keeper.
Battuto Punyed found the net again moments later after a yellow card gave St. John's a free kick from the left side. Wegge Gundhus curled a pass into the box and a defender headed it into the air and towards the near post. Battuto Punyed found the loose ball and headed it in for a 5-0 Red Storm lead.
St. John's returns to action at 8 p.m. on Sept. 12, hosting Boston University.
Notes: The Belson Stadium attendance record (2,518) was set on Sept. 18, 2009 against Georgetown ... St. John's held a 13-5 advantage in shots ... Jamie Thomas made his first-career start ... Chris Lebo made his Red Storm debut off the bench in the 74th minute.
