St. John's University Athletics
St. John's University
4-2-2 (1-0-1)
Seton Hall
2-5-1 (0-2-0)
Shorthanded St. John's Outlasts Seton Hall, 1-0
9/24/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Final Stats | Photo Gallery 
| Box Score (PDF)
QUEENS, N.Y. - Despite playing the final 69:19 of the match with just nine field players, the St. John's men's soccer team managed to keep Seton Hall off the scoresheet and found the back of the net themselves, downing the Pirates, 1-0, at Belson Stadium on Saturday night.
Filippo Ricupati scored his third goal of the season to lift St. John's (4-2-2, 1-0-1 BIG EAST) to the 1-0 victory, converting on a penalty kick in the 68th minute.
Proving why he ranks near the top of the NCAA in both goals against average and save percentage, Andrew Withers was phenomenal between the pipes once again for the Red Storm, registering his third solo shutout in just four opportunities on the season. Despite making only two official saves on the evening, Withers was instrumental in stopping the Pirates' attack, neutralizing a number of dangerous Seton Hall chances.
The Red Storm played with just 10 men for the final two-thirds of the contest after Thomas Mickoski was issued a red card at the 20:41 mark of the match.
"We were obviously very disappointed to get a red card. We're a team that prides ourselves on not taking penalties and not fouling," said Head Coach Dr. Dave Masur. "But I think we gave a great effort with a man down, from the defenders to the midfield and then up front and Andrew did a great job in net to get the clean sheet. I think we had great energy in the second half."
Masur, who ranks sixth on the NCAA active career wins list, won his 690th collegiate soccer game as a head coach on Saturday.
The Red Storm broke the scoreless tie in the 68th minute as Andrea Previati sent a cross from the right side into the box for Ricupati, but the sophomore from Milan was taken down by his defender.
Ricupati confidently stepped up to the spot on the ensuing penalty kick, assuredly blasting a shot into the cage just right of center as the goalkeeper dove left.
A number of St. John's reserves played key minutes in the second half for the Red Storm, including Marcus Lindqvist, Ludvik Benco, Mauricio Rivas and Colin Panarra.
The Red Storm returns to action on Tuesday night, hosting Saint Joseph's in a non-conference matchup at 7 p.m.
Team Stats
RICUPATI, Filippo (3)
SJU RICUPATI, Filippo PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 3 for season.
67:47
