JAMAICA, N.Y. – No. 10 St. John's scored on a set piece goal in the first half and then added three more goals in the final 45 minutes to post a 4-0 victory over Villanova Saturday night at Belson Stadium.
The Wildcats dropped to 7-4-1 overall, 1-2-1 BIG EAST while the BIG EAST Conference leaders, St. John's upped their mark to 11-1 overall, 4-0 BIG EAST.
"St. John's was the better team tonight," stated Villanova head coach Tom Carlin. "They got that set piece goal and we changed some things up to attack more in the second half. When you have to chase the game like that, you make yourself vulnerable and credit to St. John's. They took advantage."
The Red Storm got on the scoreboard at 34:14 when it converted a corner kick opportunity from the right side. Brandon Knapp served the ball into Skage Simonson, who sent a header just below the crossbar and past Wildcats goalkeeper Carson Williams.
A bit of crisp passing in the 53rd minute netted the Red Storm goal number two. Tani Oluwaseyi and Jared Juleau worked the ball in from the left side, with Juleau sending a low shot just inside the left post at 52:30.
A pair of goals from Einar Lye closed out the scoring on a cool autumn evening in Queens. The Wildcats generated six shots on the night, with three on frame. Josh Belluz, Anthony Dragisics and Viktor Benediktsson had the shots on goal, all of which were stopped by two Red Storm goalkeepers.
"They were just better than us this time," noted Carlin.
Villanova resumes action on Tuesday night with its final non-conference clash of the regular season. The Wildcats travel across town to face Philly Soccer Six rival La Salle at McCarthy Stadium at 7 p.m.
"We've just got to move on, learn from this and grow," Carlin stated.
