St. John's University Athletics
St. John’s Ranked 25th in TopDrawerSoccer Preseason Poll
8/22/2022 10:28:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Red Storm will open 2022 campaign on Thursday at Monmouth
QUEENS, N.Y. – The St. John's men's soccer team has checked in at no. 25 in the TopDrawerSoccer preseason rankings released on Monday morning.
The Johnnies earned their preseason ranking after finishing 2021 with an 11-6-3 record and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Red Storm, which was picked to finish third in the 2022 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll, placed third in the league last year after going 5-3-2 against conference foes with all three losses coming in overtime. Last fall, the BIG EAST sent a league-record five teams to the NCAA Tournament with all five programs advancing to at least the second round.
This is not the only preseason accolade for the Johnnies, who received votes in the United Soccer Coaches rankings and placed 30th in the preseason poll from College Soccer News.
Entering his fifth year with the program in 2022, Brandon Knapp was named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team. The Red Storm's leading point producer in 2021 with five goals and six assists, Knapp, a three-time All-BIG EAST pick, is one of three returners who scored three or more goals last season alongside Einar Lye and Wesley Leggett. Additionally, senior midfielder Atila Ashrafi ranked second on the squad with four assists in 2021.
The Red Storm will open its 2022 campaign on Thursday night when it travels to West Long Branch, N.J., for a 7 p.m. showdown with Monmouth. The team's home opener will be held on Aug. 29, when the Johnnies welcome No. 18 Florida International for a 7 p.m. kick-off at Belson Stadium. Purchase your tickets to Monday's home opener by clicking here. Admission to men's soccer matches is free for all St. John's students.
The Johnnies earned their preseason ranking after finishing 2021 with an 11-6-3 record and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Red Storm, which was picked to finish third in the 2022 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll, placed third in the league last year after going 5-3-2 against conference foes with all three losses coming in overtime. Last fall, the BIG EAST sent a league-record five teams to the NCAA Tournament with all five programs advancing to at least the second round.
This is not the only preseason accolade for the Johnnies, who received votes in the United Soccer Coaches rankings and placed 30th in the preseason poll from College Soccer News.
Entering his fifth year with the program in 2022, Brandon Knapp was named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team. The Red Storm's leading point producer in 2021 with five goals and six assists, Knapp, a three-time All-BIG EAST pick, is one of three returners who scored three or more goals last season alongside Einar Lye and Wesley Leggett. Additionally, senior midfielder Atila Ashrafi ranked second on the squad with four assists in 2021.
The Red Storm will open its 2022 campaign on Thursday night when it travels to West Long Branch, N.J., for a 7 p.m. showdown with Monmouth. The team's home opener will be held on Aug. 29, when the Johnnies welcome No. 18 Florida International for a 7 p.m. kick-off at Belson Stadium. Purchase your tickets to Monday's home opener by clicking here. Admission to men's soccer matches is free for all St. John's students.
Players Mentioned
Midfielder
/ Men's Soccer
Midfielder/Defender
/ Men's Soccer
Forward
/ Men's Soccer
Midfielder
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