St. John’s Tops FDU, 1-0

Thursday, September 11

Queens, N.Y. (Cox Family Field at Belson Stadium)

7 p.m.

St. John's University

3-2-2, 0-0-0

FDU

3-1-2, 0-0-0

FDU

St. John's (NY)

9/11/2025 9:53:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)VIDEO: Highlights

Bjorn Nikolajewski’s first career goal marks the difference-maker on Thursday night

QUEENS, N.Y.- The St. John's men's soccer team (3-2-2, 0-0-0 BIG EAST) topped previously unbeaten FDU (3-1-2, 0-0-0 NEC), 1-0, on Thursday night.

Bjorn Nikolajewski scored his first-ever goal in his collegiate 49^th appearance. The graduate student made his season debut on Thursday night after missing the first six matches of the season logging the first game-winning goal.

Nicholas Bezama in his first collegiate start logged a 90-minute clean sheet on Thursday night at Cox Family Field at Belson Stadium. The Red Storm have racked up four shutouts through its first seven matches.

The Red Storm held a 13-5 advantage in the shot category and outpaced the Knights in corner kicks, 9-3. Gabin Thomelier led all players with three shot attempts.

As the action got underway, in the 19^th minute FDU sprung out to a counter attack and the grounded cross left the visitors with a wide-open net however the attempt rung off the crossbar as the score remained level.

In the opening half, the Red Storm's best chance of the evening came as Jeremy Sharp nudged a cross into the 18-yard box. Thomelier settled the feed then launched a rocket that banged off the crossbar.

The Johnnies generated a pair of chances later in the opening half from Ivar Nå Aga, including one that sailed just over the bar. The two sides went into the break level after 45 minutes.

Nå Aga delivered a high cross into the FDU box. The Knights clearance attempt fell to the feet of Nikolajewski as the defender slotted a strike into the bottom right corner to give the Red Storm a 1-0 edge in the 50^th minute.

In the 76^th minute while holding the lead comfortable, Nå Aga played a cross the Guilherme Gomes. The freshmen leapt into the air for a world-class bicycle kick attempt that darted toward the net but denied by a diving save from FDU goalkeeper Matheus Franca.

The Red Storm fended off the Knights over the closing minutes to record a home victory in the middle match of its five-game homestand.

Prior to the game, the St. John's Athletic Department remembered all those lost in the tragedies of September 11, 2001. Campus Minister for Athletics Fr. Richard Rock gave a pre-game prayer as St. John's ROTC presented our nation's colors and New York Police Department (NYPD) Officer Minerva Joanus performed the national anthem.

St. John's will continue its homestand on Sunday night when it faces Sacred Heart at 7 p.m. from Cox Family Field.