Zsani Kajan Named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year

Following a career year, the St. John's women's soccer team's lethal scorer Zsani Kajan was unanimously selected as the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year, the league announced on Monday.

Additionally, Kajan earned a unanimous selection to the All-BIG EAST First Team for the third time in her Red Storm tenure. Junior Jessica Garziano and rookie Athina Sofroniou have also been recognized by the league's coaches, finding a place on the All-BIG EAST Second Team and the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team.

Kajan has been named the league's top offensive player for the second time in her illustrious career, as she garnered the conference's top honor in 2019. The Budapest, Hungary, native is just the second Johnnie in program history to earn the accolade on two different occasions, joining the Red Storm's all-time leading scorer Rachel Daly.

Kajan, a four-time all-BIG EAST selection, is coming off one of the finest seasons in St. John's women's soccer history. The 5-foot-7 forward recorded 16 goals in 18 games this year to lead the league and rank second among Division I opponents. A First Team All-BIG EAST selection in both 2018 and 2019, Kajan has netted a conference-high seven goals during BIG EAST action this fall. Additionally, Kajan registered at least one point in seven of 10 BIG EAST games to finish atop the league ledger with 17 points.

Kajan put up five multi-goal games on the year, including a pair of hat tricks against Saint Joseph's on Aug. 21 and Creighton on Oct. 24. With a pair of three-goal outings this season, Kajan is the only player in program history to record four career hat tricks for St. John's.

Kajan climbed the program's all-time list for a number career records this season. With 44 goals and 98 points over her Red Storm career, Kajan has moved into second place in both statistical categories.

Garziano, who has provided leadership and an inimitable toughness on the pitch for the Johnnies this season, has found a spot on the All-BIG EAST Second Team. After leading the squad in scoring over the spring 2021 season, Garziano has been the Red Storm's leading facilitator this year. The Melville, N.Y., native has recorded a team-high eight assists through 18 games over the fall campaign to tie teammate Nicole Gordon and sit third overall in the conference. The two-time all-conference selection registered five of her eight assists during BIG EAST action to sit inside the top-three in the conference.

Sofroniou, the rookie from Dix Hills, N.Y., has been recognized for her efforts this season with selection to the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team. Making starts in five of the 17 games she played in this season, Sofroniou has played with maturity well beyond her years and has been a key contributor to the Red Storm's success this season. Sofroniou registered her first collegiate goal for the Red Storm on Oct. 14 en route to the Johnnies' 4-2 win over Marquette.

St. John's returns to action on Thursday evening with a trip to Cincinnati, as the Johnnies take on Xavier in the semifinal round of the BIG EAST Championship. The two teams will kick off at 5 p.m.

St. John's University Athletics

Zsani Kajan Named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year

Players Mentioned

Jessica Garziano

Nicole Gordon

Zsani Kajan

Athina Sofroniou

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