MEN’S SOCCER DROPS NAILBITERS

The Red Storm watched their five-match unbeaten streak come to a crashing halt last week, dropping a pair of low-scoring heartbreakers.

First, it was Lehigh who came storming back, stunning the Johnnies in the final minutes with a pair of late scores. Filippo Ricupati got St. John’s going early with a 42nd minute penalty-kick score, his second goal in as many contests.

Yet, it was Mountain Hawks Alex Greene and Zarin Tuten who got the last laugh, both sending balls past goalie Andrew Withers in the final thirteen minutes, en route to a 2-1 Lehigh victory.

Up next was Big East foe and 22nd-ranked Butler in a 105-minute defensive duel. Double overtime was needed to break a scoreless tie, with Andrew Withers shutting down the Bulldog attack all match to with of six saves.

Both teams had their chances, with Butler controlling the shot count 18-12, but neither defense would crack. Finally deep in the 105th minute, Lewis Suddick cashed in on a penalty-kick opportunity for Butler, giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 win.

St John’s falls to 5-4-1 on the year (2-1 in Big East play).

WOMEN’S SOCCER SPLITS MATCHES

A thrilling back-and-forth affair with Creighton ended in St. John’s triumph on Thursday, with junior Christina Bellero sending one to the back of the net in double-OT for the 1-0 win. Neither offense could cash in throughout the match, with the Red Storm holding the slight 20-16 shot advantage. Jordan Kamp continued her strong play in goal, and finally got some support from her offensive attack when Bellero ended things in the 105th minute.

Sunday was not so kind to the Johnnies, as Marquette came to Belson and handed the Red Storm their fourth 1-0 loss in five games.

Darian Powell knocked in the only score of the game for the Golden Eagles in the 23rd minute as the Red Storm offense couldn’t score against Marquette keeper Maddy Henry.

The team drops to 5-6-1 on the year and owns just one Big East win. Their next game is an away tilt against Providence on Oct. 5 in Rhode Island.

WOMEN’S GOLF CONTENDS IN BOSTON

Sophomores Linda Wang and Kaitlin Shee were the catalysts for the Red Storm last weekend at the Boston College Intercollegiate, charging the squad to an eighth-place finish (out of 16 teams). Shee got things started strong, posting scores of 74 and 75 in rounds one and two, respectively. Wang wrapped things up in the final round, recording a pair of back-nine birdies en route to a four-over 76. The women head back up to Massachusetts on Oct. 15th for the Brown Bear Intercollegiate.

MEN’S GOLF MAKES STRIDES

The Johnnies shot a total 942 (+33) last weekend in Virginia, good for 15th place in the 16-team Patriot Intercollegiate Tournament.

The struggles shouldn’t overshadow strides in individual performance, however. Sophomore Gerald Mackedon finished the weekend tournament with a round three even-par 72, following a season-best one-under 71 finish from junior Matthew Sweeney in round two.

This past weekend took the Red Storm to The Course at Yale, where the five-man squad continued to take steps in the right direction.

Junior Andrew Baek set the pace in round one with an even par 70, finishing before the rains rolled in, pushing rounds two and three to Sunday.

Mackedon was the standout on the tournament’s rain-delayed final day, checking in with an even-par 70 in the third round.

St. John’s finished 13th (out of 14), and heads to Connecticut for their next tournament on Oct. 9.

VOLLEYBALL DROPS A PAIR AT HOME

Before the Big East scheduled kicked into gear, the Red Storm had one last opportunity to tune-up with a not-so-local rival: Zhejiang New Century, hailing from China.

The Chinese professional team payed a visit to Carnesecca Arena last Wednesday, and the Johnnies were ready for the challenge. St. John’s held a lead late in the first set and were tied 14-14 in the second set, but ultimately fell to the pro team 3-0 in the exhibition match.

The high-level competition had the women properly prepared for their Big East home opener, a three-set sweep over Providence (25-21-25-19-25-16).

Erica Di Maulo continued her distributive dominance, adding 34 assists to her season total, while also contributing on defense with eight digs.

Danisha Moss led the Red Storm offensive surge, piling up seven kills on 11 attempts, good for a match-high .545 hitting percentage.

Yet another challenge came the Johnnies’ way on Friday, when three-time defending Big East champion Creighton, ranked 14th in the nation, came to Queens.

It took just three sets for a Bluejay victory (25-21-25-19-25-16), making quick order of the St. John’s ladies. Julia Cast picked up nine kills for the Red Storm in the losing cause.

St John’s stands at 9-10 on the year, winning just one of four in Big East play.