Oluwaseyi’s Golden Goal Lifts St. John’s Past RV NC State, 1-0

Sunday, September 1

Raleigh, N.C. (Dail Soccer Field)

7 p.m.

St. John's University

2-0-0

NC State

1-1-0

St. John's

NC State

Oluwaseyi’s Golden Goal Lifts St. John’s Past RV NC State, 1-0

9/1/2019 10:18:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Red Storm improves to 2-0-0 for first time since 2008

By: Andrew O'Connell

RALEIGH, N.C. (Sept. 1, 2019) – Following a night chock-full of narrow misses, Tani Oluwaseyi finally broke through for the Johnnies in the 107th minute of action on Friday, finding the back of the net with a golden goal and leading the St. John's men's soccer past RV NC State, 1-0, at Dail Soccer Field.

"It was an unbelievable team effort," said Dr. Dave Masur, who secured his 410^th collegiate coaching victory. "I was happy to see the team really stuck to the game plan and did what we needed to do to get a result. I think we played for each other and took a big step forward as a team."

With the win, St. John's improved to 2-0-0 on the season for the first time since 2008, a year in which the Red Storm also made its fourth appearance all-time in the College Cup. The Johnnies' win over the Wolfpack, who received votes in the preseason United Soccer Coaches Poll and earned a preseason win over No. 6 North Carolina, also marked the program's first victory over an ACC foe since 2010.

Despite entering the game at halftime, Oluwaseyi had already registered two of the Red Storm's best chances of the night before tallying the game winner. The sophomore took the game's first shot on goal of the in the 48^th minute before sending a ball just inches over the cross bar in the 83^rd. A few minutes prior to ending the contest, Oluwaseyi drew a foul on NC State keeper Vinnie Durand in the box, but Durand managed to come away with a save on the ensuing penalty kick by Matt Forster.

Oluwaseyi's game-winner was set up by his teammates' efforts on a pair of 50-50 balls in the offensive zone, as Brandon Duarte headed a ball toward Skage Simonsen, who then headed it to Oluwaseyi.

The Red Storm controlled possession in the second extra period after NC State displayed similar dominance in the first overtime stanza. During those opening 10 minutes, Luka Gavran made two stops, including one at point-blank range in front of the net. Gavran and Jan Hoffelner combined to record the Red Storm's second shutout in as many tries on the young season.

After the game, Masur also praised the efforts of the Red Storm's two sophomore center backs, Matt Chandler and Luke Hansen, who helped limit the Wolfpack to just seven shots on the evening.

The Johnnies will return to action on Friday night, hosting Manhattan for their home opener at Belson Stadium. First kick is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on ESPN3.