Dec. 28, 2009

QUEENS, N.Y. - After leading his team to its most successful season in history, St. John's women's soccer coach Ian Stone has been named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Northeast Region Coach of the Year.

"I am very honored to receive this award," said Stone. "The team really came together this year and embraced our philosophy and gave all it could on the field. It was a privilege to coach the group of players we had and accomplish so many things together as a team. I look forward to many more successful seasons at St. John's. I also want to thank my coaching staff, support staff and the University administration for helping us accomplish so much this past year."

Stone led the Red Storm to its first-ever NCAA Tournament bid in the program's 23rd year of existence. The Red Storm played a tough game against Virginia on Nov. 13, as the teams battled to a scoreless tie in double overtime. The Cavaliers slipped past STJ in penalty kicks.

St. John's also made its second all-time appearance in the BIG EAST Championship Semifinals, playing another closely-decided contest to Notre Dame, a 2-1 overtime decision on Nov. 6.

The Red Storm, who finished the year with a 13-6-2 record, recorded the second-most wins in program history, only one from tying the record set in 1994. With six BIG EAST wins and eight home victories, the Red Storm tied the school records it set in 2007. STJ recorded 10 shutouts, which ties the record the team set in 2008.

St. John's entered the NSCAA Top 25 Poll for the first time ever, eventually rising to No. 17 on Sept. 28. The team also received its highest ranking in history in the Soccer America Poll when it was listed as No. 11 on Oct. 5.

The Red Storm recorded three Top 25 victories in 2009, nabbing 2-1 victories over then-No. 12 USC on Aug. 30 and then-No. 12 Indiana on Sept. 13, and posting a 1-0 win over then-No. 16 UConn on Sept. 24.

Stone guided Amanda Pasciolla, Nicole Doran, Nicole Pasciolla and Sarah McGrath to 2009 All-BIG EAST accolades, and his 2009 squad earned the NSCAA Team Academic Award for the seventh-straight year.