St. John's University Athletics
St. John’s Gears Up for Battle with Xavier in BIG EAST Semifinal
11/2/2022 3:35:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Red Storm and Musketeers to meet in semifinal round for second straight year
QUEENS, N.Y.- The St. John's women's soccer team will look to keep its season going on Thursday when it takes on the Xavier Musketeers in the semifinal round of the BIG EAST Championship. Kick-off from the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md., is set for 4 p.m. and will air on the BIG EAST Digital Network on FloFC with John Fanta, Monika Moore and Meghan Caffrey on the call.
The Red Storm will make its second BIG EAST semifinal appearance in as many seasons after defeating UConn in a penalty shootout, 4-2, after a 1-1 draw on Sunday at Belson Stadium.
Against the Huskies, Isabelle Aviza brought the Johnnies back from a 1-0 deficit with her third goal of the season in the 69thminute to knot the score at one. Four players converted on penalty attempts, including Michelle Money, who sent the Johnnies to the next round with one swing of her right foot.
Three players received recognition from the BIG EAST on Wednesday morning. Brooke Boyd was named to the All-BIG EAST First Team, and Jessica Garziano earned a spot on the All-BIG EAST Second Team. Rookie Emily Riggins received an All-Freshman distinction from the conference. This marks the second straight year three student-athletes have been named to an All-BIG EAST team.
Garziano remains as the anchor for the Red Storm attack, leading the squad in several categories, including shots and shots on target. The Melville, N.Y., native has also had a knack for finding her teammates, pacing the Johnnies with five helpers in 18 games. Nicole Gordon has the high watermark in the goal department, scoring four times, including in the Red Storm's regular-season finale against Marquette.
Senior Gina Muzi has been solid in net for St. John's, racking up 42 saves, good for eighth in the BIG EAST. The Delafield, Wis., native has allowed one goal in her last 14 starts dating back to Sept. 2. Muzi boasts a goals-against average of 0.74 in 18 appearances and a mark of 0.60 in conference matches.
Second-seeded Xavier has yet to lose a conference match in 2022, entering Thursday's tilt with a BIG EAST record of 6-0-4. The Musketeers have not allowed more than one goal in any BIG EAST game this season.
On the offensive side, BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year Molly McLaughlin leads the way for Xavier, tallying five goals and three assists in 19 games. McLaughlin as paces the Musketeers in shots with 47 and has converted on four penalty attempts.
All-BIG EAST Freshman Team member Maria Galley patrols the goal for Xavier, logging 50 saves and leading the conference in shutouts with 11.
Thursday marks the 11th meeting between St. John's and Xavier, with the Red Storm leading the all-time series, 7-2-1. The Johnnies have found success against the Musketeers, including a 1-0 win in last year's BIG EAST semifinal in Cincinnati.
The Red Storm will make its second BIG EAST semifinal appearance in as many seasons after defeating UConn in a penalty shootout, 4-2, after a 1-1 draw on Sunday at Belson Stadium.
Against the Huskies, Isabelle Aviza brought the Johnnies back from a 1-0 deficit with her third goal of the season in the 69thminute to knot the score at one. Four players converted on penalty attempts, including Michelle Money, who sent the Johnnies to the next round with one swing of her right foot.
Three players received recognition from the BIG EAST on Wednesday morning. Brooke Boyd was named to the All-BIG EAST First Team, and Jessica Garziano earned a spot on the All-BIG EAST Second Team. Rookie Emily Riggins received an All-Freshman distinction from the conference. This marks the second straight year three student-athletes have been named to an All-BIG EAST team.
Garziano remains as the anchor for the Red Storm attack, leading the squad in several categories, including shots and shots on target. The Melville, N.Y., native has also had a knack for finding her teammates, pacing the Johnnies with five helpers in 18 games. Nicole Gordon has the high watermark in the goal department, scoring four times, including in the Red Storm's regular-season finale against Marquette.
Senior Gina Muzi has been solid in net for St. John's, racking up 42 saves, good for eighth in the BIG EAST. The Delafield, Wis., native has allowed one goal in her last 14 starts dating back to Sept. 2. Muzi boasts a goals-against average of 0.74 in 18 appearances and a mark of 0.60 in conference matches.
Second-seeded Xavier has yet to lose a conference match in 2022, entering Thursday's tilt with a BIG EAST record of 6-0-4. The Musketeers have not allowed more than one goal in any BIG EAST game this season.
On the offensive side, BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year Molly McLaughlin leads the way for Xavier, tallying five goals and three assists in 19 games. McLaughlin as paces the Musketeers in shots with 47 and has converted on four penalty attempts.
All-BIG EAST Freshman Team member Maria Galley patrols the goal for Xavier, logging 50 saves and leading the conference in shutouts with 11.
Thursday marks the 11th meeting between St. John's and Xavier, with the Red Storm leading the all-time series, 7-2-1. The Johnnies have found success against the Musketeers, including a 1-0 win in last year's BIG EAST semifinal in Cincinnati.
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