Antonio Biggs Nets Equalizer in St. John’s 1-1 Draw Against UConn

Saturday, October 26

Queens, N.Y. (Belson Stadium)

2 p.m.

St. John's University

6-5-5, 4-1-2

UConn

8-3-5, 3-2-2

UConn

St. John's (NY)

Antonio Biggs Nets Equalizer in St. John’s 1-1 Draw Against UConn

10/26/2024 5:34:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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The Jamaican defender records first collegiate goal in 77th minute

QUEENS, N.Y. – Senior Antonio Biggs registered his first career goal in the St. John's men's soccer team's 1-1 draw against UConn at Belson Stadium on Saturday.

The Jamaican defender, who came on as a second-half substitution for the Red Storm, provided the equalizer in the 77^th minute. Biggs headed home a set piece cross from Julian Jakopovic after leaping over the UConn backline from just outside the six-yard box. The senior logged 45 minutes off the bench in the draw.

Jakopovic registered his third assist of the season with his pass to Biggs on the game-tying goal. The German product also logged 90 minutes of work for the 14^th-straight game, good for 1,399 total minutes played this season.

The Johnnies (6-5-5, 4-1-2 BIG EAST) delivered 10 shot attempts against the Huskies (8-3-5, 3-2-2 BIG EAST), including four on frame. Miguel Diaz led the team with a pair of chances in the contest.

The Huskies jumped ahead early with a sixth-minute strike from Scott Testori. The senior attacker tapped home a deflected cross from Charlie Holmes for a 1-0 Huskies lead.

The Red Storm started to find its footing over the next 25 minutes, keeping UConn at bay without allowing a shot over that span. St. John's responded in the 27^th minute with a shot from Diaz, followed by an attempt from Eric Danquah 40 seconds later that sailed wide.

With under two minutes remaining in the half, the Red Storm surged with back-to-back opportunities inside the 18. Boumsong ripped an attempt from 12 yards out, seeing his blocked attempt ricochet around before falling to Tyler Morck, who put his shots just past the left post.

Out of the intermission, the Red Storm played with poise and controlled possession through the early portion of the second half. With the Huskies playing on their heels, the Johnnies fired away with Diaz's attempt going wide in the 53^rd minute. Six minutes later, Nigel Griffith ripped an attempt on target from 20 yards out.

St. John's continued to surge in the final third with its defense providing a major spark offensively. Bjorn Nikolajewski, who also played a full 90 minutes on Saturday, fired a set piece from outside the box just wide of the net in the 66^th minute.

The Johnnies broke through 11 minutes later as Jakopovic lined up a set piece from the left side. The German defender found his backline mate streaking at the far post, heading the feet into the net to tie the game at one apiece.

Just under two minutes later, Brady Geho nearly broke through on his lone chance of the match. Martin Kozak dangled and evaded a UConn defender before sending a pass to Morck. The midfielder crossed the pass toward the back side of the keeper, seeing Geho's header punched away by Max Kerkvliet. Thomas Lamaille unloaded an attempt of his own in the 81^st minute to keep UConn in its defensive third.

Both teams were held out of the shot column over the final seven minutes to lock down a draw at Belson.

The Red Storm will return to Queens for its final conference game of the season and Senior Day against No. 14 Georgetown on Saturday, Nov. 2. Kick-off from Belson Stadium is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will be streamed on BEDN.