St. John’s Roars Back to Sink No. 19 Akron on the Road, 2-1

Friday, October 3

Akron, Ohio (FirstEnergy Stadium)

7 p.m.

St. John's University

No. 19 Akron

St. John’s Roars Back to Sink No. 19 Akron on the Road, 2-1

10/3/2025 10:16:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score (PDF)

Red Storm scored two goals over the final 18:21 capped off by Andrew Proucznik’s game-winner in the 85th minute

AKRON, Ohio – The St. John's men's soccer team (5-3-3, 1-1-1 BIG EAST) roared back from a deficit scoring two goals over the final 18:21 to down No. 19 Akron (7-3-1, 1-2 BIG EAST) on the road, 2-1, on Friday night.

Freshman Andrew Porucznik tucked home the game-winner in the 85^th minute to lift the Red Storm to its first top-20 road win since it upset then-No. 13 Providence on March 10, 2021. The Johnnies remain undefeated against opponents ranked inside the top-20 of the United Soccer Coaches' poll boasting a 1-0-2 record.

Porucznik's decisive tally with 5:28 remaining at FirstEnergy Stadium marked his second of the season and the first game-winning goal of his young career. The Mahwah, N.J., native recorded a game-high three shots. Gabin Thomelier provided the assist on the goal that completed the comeback effort.

Gabe Smyth started the resurgence after the sophomore headed home his first career goal to equalize the match in the 72^ndminute. Julian Jakopovic and Ivar Nå Aga recorded the assists off a corner kick.

St. John's became just the second team to score multiple goals against Akron this season. The Zips came into the match ranked eight in the country in goals against average (0.40).

Early in the match, Porucznik got free on the right wing and delivered a centering pass that skidded through the 18-yard box, however no Johnnies attackers were able to connect with the cross.

As the first half went on, Akron slid a pass past by McLachlan as Jack Ferguson delivered shot the was nearly deflected away by a Red Storm defender but bounced into the net.

After a lengthy first half the featured three video reviews, the Zips went into the locker room with a 1-0 advantage.

In the second half, the Johnnies began to sway possession into their own attacking half record four of the second half's first five shots on target.

As the Red Storm inched closer to tying up the scoreline, the Johnnies earned their second consecutive corner kick in the 72^ndminute. Jakopovic provided the service from the corner as Na Aga steered a header that bounced toward the far post. Smyth was well-positioned by the post and easily directed the bouncing ball into the net to tie the score at 1-1, with 18:21 remaining.

As the Red Storm continued to dial up the pressure, Thomelier broke through down the left wing. The Rennes, France native delivered a ball across that slid directly onto the feet of a sliding Porucznik, who fired a grounded strike into the bottom right corner of the net to put the Johnnies in front, 2-1.
In the final five minutes, Akron rang off a pair of shots but the Red Storm backline held on to remain undefeated all-time against the Zips improving its series record to 3-0-3.

The Johnnies will return home on Oct. 11 for another BIG EAST battle when they welcome Providence to Queens. The match was originally scheduled for 5:30 p.m. has been moved up to 5 p.m.