Published: March 31, 2007
QUEENS, N.Y.
With a 6-4 victory Saturday afternoon over the visiting Rutgers
Scarlet Knights, the St. John’s Red Storm lacrosse team made
history by winning its first ECAC Lacrosse game since the program’s
reinstatement in 2005.
With the win, the Red Storm advances to 4-5 overall and
1-2 in the league, while the Scarlet Knights fall to 2-4, 1-2 in
the ECAC.
“It goes without saying that this was a huge win for our
program and an even bigger win for St. John’s University,” remarked
Head Coach Jason Miller. “The goal in
reinstating this program was to be as competitive as anybody in
Division I, and we took a huge step forward in that pursuit today
over a program for whom I have a great amount of respect for. This
was a tremendous win for St. John’s University today.”
Fed by junior Tom Manes,
junior midfielder Justin O’Donnell
scored the game-winning goal three minutes into the fourth period
after the Scarlet Knights went on a three goal run midway through
the third to tie the contest up at four.
Junior Tom Michaelsen powered in
the safety goal past Rutgers goaltender Bill Olin two minutes later
leading the Red Storm to their first ECAC win.
The win ties the Red Storm’s all-time wins since 2005. Last
season, the Red Storm also had four wins with an overall record of
4-9. It also gives the Red Storm a two-game win streak, its best of
the season, and a three-game win streak at home on DaSilva Memorial
Field. The 6-4 victory is also the Red Storm’s first over the
Scarlet Knights in 14 meetings.
The Scarlet Knights got on the board first when their first shot
of the game got past junior goaltender Dave
Saccente, making his first appearance in six games.
Sophomore Matt Viscusi tied the
game up at one with just over a minute to go in the first with his
second career goal.
The Michaelsen twins, Trevor and Tom went to work in the second
giving the Red Storm a 4-1 lead, with two goals by Trevor Michaelsen, who transferred from
Rutgers in 2005. Manes assisted both of Michaelsen’s goals.
In the third, ECAC Player of the Week, Rutgers’ Colin Checcio
answered back with two straight goals of his own, looking to make a
Scarlet Knight run. Scarlet Knight, Justin Pennington, who is
second in points with 12 behind Checcio (17), tied the game at four
with 42 seconds left in the third period.
O’Donnell and Tom Michaelsen, ECAC honor roll selections, saved
the Red Storm in the fourth with their goals in the middle of the
fourth.
Red Storm senior tri-captain Anthony
Bozymowski led the St. John’s defense in holding Checcio to
just two goals. In league games, Checcio had averaged four goals a
game thus far and averaged 2.80 goals per game in all eight Rutgers
games played until this afternoon. Bozymowski and Tim LaMare with a total of three caused
turnovers also held the Rutgers attack to their lowest scoring
effort this season.
Rutgers had also earned national attention this week as they had
earned one vote in the Nike/Inside Lacrosse Top 20 poll.
Tom Michaelsen continues to lead the Red Storm offense with 25
points this season (15 goals, 10 assists), while Trevor Michaelsen
comes in second with 19 points (16 goals, three assists). O’Donnell
ranks third in points with 14 (12 goals, two assists) and Manes has
a close 13 points with nine assists, four goals, three assists
against Rutgers.
Up next, the Red Storm will travel up north to Miller’s old
stomping grounds to face-off against the Minutemen of
Massachusetts.
“We believe in our system and we believe in the way we prepare
for opponents and that preparation won’t change for UMass,” said
Miller.
Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 7 in
Amherst, Mass.
For the most up-to-date information and statistics on St. John’s
athletics please visit www.RedStormSports.com or
call our hotline at 1-888-GO-STORM.
- RED STORM -