JAMAICA, N.Y. -- The St. Johns University mens soccer team finished its 2000 season with its fifth-straight appearance in the Sweet 16, and its ninth-straight appearance in the NCAA College Cup. The Red Storm, who are ranked 11th nationally by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, finish the season with a 14-5-2 overall record after finishing in second in the BIG EAST with an 8-2-1 mark.

The Red Storms appearance in the Sweet 16, their fifth-straight, is tied for the longest current active streak with only one other school in the country, Indiana. In addition, St. Johns has now appeared in nine-straight NCAA Tournaments, one of only five schools nationally to accomplish that feat.

In his 10th season at the helm of the Red Storm program, Head Coach Dave Masur has guided the Red Storm to at least 14 wins eight times, including eight of the last nine years. Overall, the team has won at least 12 games every season since 1991 and his record at St. Johns stands at 159-41-23.

The Red Storm allowed only 14 goals this season in 21 games, a 0.67 per game average. The 14 goals were tied for the third-best record in school history. In addition, SJU scored 37 goals and recorded 42 assists for 116 points, the ninth-best mark in school history. The 37 goals rank as the 10th-best mark in school history.

St. Johns was led this season by junior midfielder Shalrie Joseph (Brooklyn, N.Y.), who led the team with 14 goals and two assists for 30 points. A first-team All-BIG EAST selection, his 14 goals ranked tied for fifth all-time in a season with Medufia Kulego (96). Joseph led the Red Storm in BIG EAST play, scoring six goals. He ended up the season having scored in five of the final six games, tallying 12 points during that span (five goals, two assists).

Joseph was one of three Red Storm players who earned first-team All-BIG EAST honors, joined by senior defender Omar Chavez (New Rochelle, N.Y.) and junior midfielder Jeff Matteo (Stormville, N.Y.). Chavez was the only player to start each game this season, and finished his career having started 41 of 46 games. He keyed a defensive unit that recorded 11 shutouts this season, tied for second-most in school history (with the 1994 and 1996 teams). Matteo played in 20 games and started 19 this season, finishing third on the team in scoring with two goals and seven assists for 11 points. He will enter his season having started 60 of his 65 career games.

Senior goalkeeper Jeff Stoklosa (Newark, Del.) finishes his career with a 18-4-2 record overall, with a 0.75 goals against average, which is tied for second all-time at St. Johns. He finished this season with a 0.65 goals against average, which is tied for sixth in a season all-time.

Three Red Storm freshmen earned BIG EAST All-Rookie honors, goalkeeper Bill Gaudette (Hummelstown, Pa.), forward Marlon Rojas (Peytonville, Arima, Trinidad) and midfielder Chris Wingert (Babylon, N.Y.).