St. John’s Drops Opener, 1-0, at Monmouth

Thursday, August 25

West Long Branch, N.J. (Hesse Field)

7 p.m.

St. John's University

0-1-0

Monmouth

1-0-0

St. John's

Monmouth

8/25/2022 9:25:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Red Storm to welcome No. 18 FIU on Monday night at Belson Stadium

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. (Aug. 25, 2022) – The St. John's men's soccer team fell to Monmouth, 1-0, in its season opener on Thursday night at Hesse Field.

Preseason All-CAA pick Ben Zakowski scored the evening's lone goal in the 34^th minute for Monmouth off an assist from Patrick Osiecki.

Despite coming out on the wrong end of the result, St. John's outshot the Hawks, 8-6, and earned six corners to Monmouth's two. Corner kick opportunities were 3-0 in favor of St. John's in the second half.

Marist transfer Antiek Sienkiel recorded a team-high three shots, including the team's only chance on target.

Neither side managed to record a shot before the 34^th minute, when Osiecki sent a grounder from 15 yards out to the far side that was saved by Ryan Foley. The rebound, however, found the foot of Zakowski, who buried it and gave Monmouth the lead.

Wesley Leggett nearly knotted the score in the final minute of the half. Juston Rainey took possession off a short corner and played a perfectly placed ball toward Leggett at the top of the six, but his header missed the far post by the slimmest of margins.

St. John's played on the front foot for nearly the entire second half, but could not break through. In the 77^th minute, Riyon Tori missed high from close range. Just over five minutes later, Sienkiel came away with another good look, but missed wide.

The Red Storm will return to action on Monday night when it plays host to No. 18 Florida International for a 7 p.m. match at Belson Stadium.