Nov. 7, 2007

Box Score

QUEENS, N.Y. - The St. John's men's soccer team advanced into the quarterfinals of the BIG EAST Tournament after beating Seton Hall 3-2 in penalty kicks. The two teams were tied at 2-2 after 110 minutes of play. Both St. John's (9-6-5) and Seton Hall (7-11-1) are credited with a tie.

St. John's stole the momentum immediately as Omar Alfonso tallied in just the 10th minute to give the Red Storm an early 1-0 lead. Jeff Stepan started the play with a pass from the right that went through the box. Alfonso received the pass near the far post and blasted a shot over Seton Hall keeper Paul McHenry from 5-yards out. Not even three minutes later, the Pirates evened the score. After a deflection, Justin McGrath gained possession for Seton Hall and dished to Kurt Cameron. Cameron was then able to beat Red Storm keeper Neal Kitson with a hard shot from short range.

In the 27th minute Stepan put the Red Storm back on top. Following a corner kick a Seton Hall defender attempted to clear the ball, but Joel Gustafsson deflected it towards Stepan. Stepan quickly ripped a shot from 5-yards out and beat McHenry. However, Seton Hall tallied the equalizer less than four minutes later. After bringing the ball down the right side of the field, Cameron sent a cross towards the far post. Carlos Salazar was waiting for the pass and quickly headed it across the goal and into the upper right corner. In the 42nd minute Michael Luk tried to put the Red Storm back on top, but his shot was saved.

The Pirates had two good chances in the 65th minute, but Kitson was able to save a pair of shots by Jon Lewandowski. Adam Himeno had the Red Storm's final chance of the game in the 88th minute, but McHenry stopped the shot and the game was headed into overtime. In the first overtime neither team was able to generate any scoring chances. St. John's had four corner kicks in the second period, but Seton Hall held the Red Storm at bay and the game was headed for a shootout.

The Pirates went first in the shootout, but could not capitalize as a Brayan Martinez shot went off the crossbar. Nelson Becerra followed for the Red Storm and beat McHenry with a low drive to the left. McGrath followed for the Pirates and was able to beat Kitson with a shot to left. Alfonso went left with his shot and beat McHenry to give the Red Storm a 2-1 lead after two rounds. Salazar then stepped up for the Pirates and went left, but Kitson guessed correctly and made the save. Alexandre Ivo put the Red Storm up 3-1 after converting with a shot into the upper right corner. In the fourth round Lewandowski beat Kitson, but Stepan had his penalty kick saved by McHenry. Down 3-2 after four rounds Christian Vercollone stepped up for the Pirates, but once again Kitson made the save and the Red Storm earned the right to advance to the quarterfinals.

Stepan and Alfonso each picked up their fourth goals of the year, while Stepan also picked up his first assist of the year. Gustafsson tallied his second assist of the season and Kitson improved his record to 4-4-2.

St. John's will now face Notre Dame at 1 p.m. on Sunday, November 11. The Fighting Irish are the second seed in the Blue Division and have not played the Red Storm since November 5, 2005.