St. John’s Soccer Roundup: 9/28

St. John’s defeated Seton Hall on Saturday 1-0 on a penalty kick in the second half to get their first Big East win of the season. This description goes for both the men’s and women’s team as the Red Storm played very similar games.

The men were at the disadvantage most of the game as Freshman Thomas Mickoski was issued a red card just 20 minutes into the match.

Despite playing down a man, the game was pretty even for most of the match. Seton Hall had a 7-6 shot advantage and a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks, but St. John’s (4-2-2) was able to find a way to win.

In the 68^th minute, Andrea Previati sent a cross into the box for fellow Italian Filippo Ricupati. Before the sophomore could get a shot off, he was taken down by his defender. Ricupati stepped up to the penalty spot and fired a shot down the middle as the goalkeeper dove left for his third goal of the season.

In net for St. John’s was Andrew Withers, who made two saves and lowered his goals against average to .32. Since taking over as the full-time goalie, he has only allowed one goal in four games.

The Johnnies are back in action tonight at Belson Stadium at 7 p.m. as they host St. Joseph’s. It can be streamed on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app.

Earlier in the day on Saturday, the women were in Newark to play Seton Hall as well. In nearly identical fashion as the men, they beat the Pirates on a penalty kick by Anna Maria Baldursdottir in the 69^th minute.

Unlike the men, however, they dominated the game outshooting Seton Hall 18-4 and had a 5-2 advantage in corners. As has been a theme this year, despite being in control of a game, they had trouble converting until Baldursdottir’s penalty kick.

The Red Storm earned the penalty kick when Samie Scaffidi was tackled in the box battling for a loose ball. Baldursdottir stepped up and converted for her second goal of the season. On Monday, she was named Big East Defensive Player of the Week for contributions in two consecutive shutouts for the Red Storm in addition to her goal.

Senior Diana Poulin had another great game in goal for St. John’s, making two saves on her way to her seventh shutout of the season and lowering her goals against average to .28.

The next contest for the ladies is on Thursday night when the host Butler in a Big East Contest. The game can be streamed on the Big East Digital Network.