St. John's University Athletics
St. John's Heads to Butler on Sunday
10/6/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Game Notes | Facebook Live | Live Stats
QUEENS, N.Y. - Following a tough 2-1 loss at Providence on Thursday, the St. John's women's soccer team returns to action on Sunday when the Johnnies visit Butler for a BIG EAST showdown in Indianapolis. The Red Storm and Bulldogs are scheduled for a 1 p.m. first kick and fans can watch the contest on Facebook Live.
In the Red Storm's last outing, Providence scored a pair of second half goals to defeat the Johnnies, 2-1. Senior Mariela Jacome got St. John's on the board in the 23rd minute, finishing a cross from junior Christina Bellero. The goal was Jacome's second of the season while Bellero added her team-leading third assist to improve her team-best point total to 13 on the year. The Melville native currently ranks fourth in the BIG EAST in both goals (5) and points (13) and remains in the top 10 in shots with 33 tries on the year. For her efforts this season, Bellero has landed on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll three times, including the most recent one that was announced earlier this week.
Butler enters play on Sunday with an overall record of 9-1-3 and a 2-0-2 ledger in BIG EAST contests. The Bulldogs' nine wins on the year tie Georgetown and Marquette for the most in the league. Entering the week, Butler checked in at No. 19 in the Soccer America poll and received votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll.
The Bulldogs currently lead the nation in save percentage, shutout percentage and goals against average. Individually, keeper Hannah Luedtke leads the country in save percentage (.962) and goals against average (0.14). Offensively, Butler is led by Paige Monaghan's four goals and five assists for a total of 13 points. Monaghan ranks second in the conference with 43 shots and five helpers.
Sunday's contest will be the sixth meeting all-time between St. John's and Butler with the Red Storm holding a slim 3-2-1 advantage in the all-time series history. St. John's has seen success at home against the Bulldogs, winning two of the three meetings at Belson Stadium.
In each of the first five meetings, the winner was decided by one goal. Additionally, three of the six matches have gone to overtime. Last season, the two sides played to a scoreless draw in double overtime in Queens.
Following Sunday's match, the Johnnies return home to host Seton Hall on Saturday, Oct. 14. The Red Storm and Pirates are slated for an 8 p.m. first kick under the light of Belson Stadium. The contest, which will be the second half of a doubleheader with the St. John's men's team, will be broadcast live on the BIG EAST Digital Network.
