St. John's University Athletics
Leana Ruiz and Kayla Bower Garner BIG EAST Weekly Awards
9/1/2025 1:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Ruiz tabbed freshman of the week; Bower wins goalkeeper of the week
NEW YORK– Leana Ruiz and Kayla Bower of the St. John's women's soccer team garnered BIG EAST Weekly awards, the conference announced on Labor Day. Ruiz earns the league's freshman of the week honor while Bower was tabbed goalkeeper of the week.
The duo played a pivotal role in Sunday's victory as a pair of early goals and a stout defensive effort led St. John's past Youngstown State in its home opener at Cox Family Field at Belson Stadium, 2-1.
Ruiz, in just her third collegiate contest and first-ever start buried a strike in the 16th minute off a feed from Mia Agresti to put the Red Storm up, 2-0, just 15:05 into the match. The Massapequa Park, N.Y., native's tally served as the eventual game-winner.
The freshman has played 87 minutes across the Johnnies three matches and capitalized on her lone shot of the season in the victory over the Penguins.
Bower earns recognition from the league for the second consecutive week after landing on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Aug. 25. The senior captain matched her career-high with five saves for the second consecutive outing. The Lincoln Park, N.J., native faced 16 Youngstown State shot attempts only conceding one goal off of a penalty kick.
On the year, Bower is averaging 4.7 saves per game at 87.5 percent clip and holds a 0.67 GAA through three games. The BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week award marks the second for Bower after winning the award on Sept. 16, 2024.
The Red Storm will be back in action on Thursday when it hosts local foe Columbia at 7 p.m. from Cox Family Field at Belson Stadium.
