JAMAICA, N.Y.  The St. Johns University womens soccer team was picked to finish fifth in the BIG EAST Northeast Division by the league coaches, it was announced today by the conference office.

The Red Storm returns 15 letterwinners from last season, including eight starters. SJU posted a 12-9-0 overall record in 2000 and a 1-4-0 BIG EAST mark. Seniors Marissa Stork and Lisa Rinaldi should pace the Red Storm offense in 2001, after combining for 33 points last season. Stork started 17 of 19 games as a junior, scoring seven goals with four assists, while Rinaldi started 19 of the Red Storms 21 contests, adding five goals and five assists.

Head Coach Ian Stone, now in his eighth season at the helm of the Red Storm, will look to sophomore Courtney Rett to anchor the defense. Rett, who led a defense that recorded seven shutouts in 2000, became the first womens soccer player to be selected to the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team since 1997. Soccer Buzz Magazine also recognized Rett for her outstanding play by placing her on the Northeast Region All-Freshman Team.

Junior goalkeeper Tina Fogg also returns after two strong seasons in net. Fogg has recorded 149 saves in the past two seasons, while allowing just 38 goals, an average of 1.25 per contest. She has a career record of 16-10-3 with 11 shutouts.

The Red Storm kick off the 2001 campaign on August 31 hosting West Virginia University at 7:00 at DaSilva Memorial Field.

2001 BIG EAST Womens Soccer Preseason Poll  Northeast Division
			2000		2000	2000
Team			BIG EAST	Overall	Reg. Season	Pts.
Connecticut (8)		5-0-0		17-7-2	1st		86
Boston College (5)	4-1-0		14-7-0	2nd		83
Syracuse		3-2-0		14-7-0	3rd		63
Miami (1)		2-3-0		9-10-1	4th		56
St. Johns		1-4-0		12-9-0	5th		36
Virginia Tech		N/A		9-10-0	N/A		34
Providence		0-5-0		7-11-1	6th		27