St. John's University Athletics
St. John's Readies for Providence on Thursday
10/4/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Game Notes | Watch Live ($$) |
QUEENS, N.Y. - After splitting a pair of BIG EAST games at home last weekend, the St. John's women's soccer team heads to Providence, R.I, to take on the Friars in the first of two road games this weekend. St. John's and Providence are scheduled for a 7 p.m. first kick at the Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium.
St. John's is coming off a tough 1-0 defeat to Marquette in its last outing. The Golden Eagles scored in the 23rd minute and held off a Red Storm attack that included seven shots on goal and a penalty kick to come away with a 1-0 win at Belson Stadium on Sunday.
Earlier last week, junior Christina Bellero, the Red Storm's leading scorer, gave the Johnnies a 1-0 win over Creighton in double overtime with a tally in the 105th minute. For her efforts, Bellero landed on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for the third time this season. Bellero's five goals on the year rank fourth in the BIG EAST, while her shot total (31), shots per game (2.58), points (12) and goals per game (0.42) all rank within the top 10 in the conference.
One of the top defensive units in the country a season ago, Head Coach Ian Stone continues to roll out a solid defensive game plan each match. St. John's has held opponents to one goal or less in 10 of 12 contests this season, good enough for a 0.96 goals against average as a team which ranks third in the BIG EAST. The young goalkeeper combination of true freshman Antonia Tammaro and redshirt freshman Jordan Kamp has stopped a total of 54 shots this season, which ranks fifth in the league.
Providence enters play on Thursday with an overall record of 6-6-0 and a 1-2-0 ledger in league contests. The Friars are coming off a 2-1, double-overtime loss to Butler on Sunday. The Bulldogs scored the game-winner in the 109th minute to claim their ninth win of the season.
The Friars are led by Katie Day, Hannah McNulty and Julian Pellegrini, who have all scored a pair of goals on the year. Day as added two assists to pace the squad with six total points.
Providence was picked to finish fifth in the BIG EAST Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll, one slot below the Red Storm.
St. John's and Providence have met 30 times in the history of the two programs, including twice last season. Overall, the Red Storm holds a 15-13-2 advantage in the all-time series.
Thursday will be a rematch of last year's BIG EAST Quarterfinal that saw the Johnnies knock off the Friars for the second time in four days to advance to the semifinals of the BIG EAST Women's Soccer Championship for the fourth time in as many seasons. Morgan Tinari scored in the 84th minute to propel the Red Storm to its fifth-straight win and Diana Poulin made three saves to tie the program record with her 32nd career shutout.
Following Thursday's match, the Johnnies are back on the road for a tilt with Butler on Sunday. The Red Storm and Bulldogs are scheduled for a 1 p.m. first kick from the Butler Bowl. Sunday's match will be streamed live on Facebook.
