Win in regular season finale proves costly for Storm
Matt Choquette, Chief Copy Editor
Issue date: 11/5/08 Section: Sports
The 1-0 regular season finale win at Rutgers on Monday night may have been more costly than a loss for the men's soccer team.
With the Big East Red Division title locked up and a first-round bye in the conference tournament secured, all No. 3 St. John's (14-1-3) had to do was stay healthy and look forward to the postseason. Instead, the majority of the starters played the make-up game in New Jersey and a crucial member of the Red Storm midfield got "banged up" in the win, according to head coach Dave Masur.
Sophomore Tadeu Terra suffered an injury and was removed from the game and his status for St. John's second- round game on Saturday is questionable. Midfielder and co-leading scorer Nelson Becerra was the only player rested. With the Terra injury and other notable absences, Masur credited the Storm's bench strength Monday night.
"Our depth really played out and we got a good result against a really strong team that has played everyone tough," Masur said.
Trevor Chiduku sat out nursing an injury to his groin from the win over Cincinnati and defender Joel Gustafsson was held out due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Anthony Vazquez filled in for Gustafsson and played all 90 minutes for his first career start. Freshman Cristian Gonzalez got the start up front for Chiduku, and it was his shots that made the difference in the game.
In the 9th minute, Connor Lade played a high ball to Sverre Wegge Gundhus, who settled the pass with his chest. Gonzalez collected the settling pass and scored the eventual game-winner, his second of the season.
Gonzalez recorded four shots, three of which were on goal, and registered his season-high in minutes played.
"Cristian was more consistent and very busy," Masur said. "He scored a great goal."
Rutgers' chance for an equalizer was hurt when the Scarlet Knights' Josh Carroll was issued a red card for a dangerous late tackle. They already had the challenge of scoring on Neal Kitson, the Big East's shutout leader, and from the 22nd minute on, they had to try with 10 men.
With the Big East Red Division title locked up and a first-round bye in the conference tournament secured, all No. 3 St. John's (14-1-3) had to do was stay healthy and look forward to the postseason. Instead, the majority of the starters played the make-up game in New Jersey and a crucial member of the Red Storm midfield got "banged up" in the win, according to head coach Dave Masur.
Sophomore Tadeu Terra suffered an injury and was removed from the game and his status for St. John's second- round game on Saturday is questionable. Midfielder and co-leading scorer Nelson Becerra was the only player rested. With the Terra injury and other notable absences, Masur credited the Storm's bench strength Monday night.
"Our depth really played out and we got a good result against a really strong team that has played everyone tough," Masur said.
Trevor Chiduku sat out nursing an injury to his groin from the win over Cincinnati and defender Joel Gustafsson was held out due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Anthony Vazquez filled in for Gustafsson and played all 90 minutes for his first career start. Freshman Cristian Gonzalez got the start up front for Chiduku, and it was his shots that made the difference in the game.
In the 9th minute, Connor Lade played a high ball to Sverre Wegge Gundhus, who settled the pass with his chest. Gonzalez collected the settling pass and scored the eventual game-winner, his second of the season.
Gonzalez recorded four shots, three of which were on goal, and registered his season-high in minutes played.
"Cristian was more consistent and very busy," Masur said. "He scored a great goal."
Rutgers' chance for an equalizer was hurt when the Scarlet Knights' Josh Carroll was issued a red card for a dangerous late tackle. They already had the challenge of scoring on Neal Kitson, the Big East's shutout leader, and from the 22nd minute on, they had to try with 10 men.
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