Red Storm Women's Soccer Opens Season At Texas A&M Tournament St. John's to face Michiga

....Red Storm Season Preview

The 2010 women's soccer squad will feature a mix of experienced veterans with an infusion of talented youth as head coach Ian Stone looks to build off a very successful 2009 campaign. The Red Storm opened last season winning nine of the team's first 10 games en route to the program's first NCAA tournament appearance. The 2010 Red Storm will look for new stars to emerge to replace 13 graduated letterwinners, including eight starters, and the team's top three scorers.

Returning junior goalkeeper Kristin Russell leads the St. John's defense. A starter in all 21 games last season, Russell recorded 10 shutouts and a save percentage of .879 while averaging just 0.59 goals allowed per game. Russell is the school record-holder for most career shutouts and is ranked in the program's top 10 all-time in saves, saves per game, goals against average and victories. The rest of the Red Storm defense will be patrolled by junior Megan Klement, freshmen Michelle Iannacchino andMichelle Murino, as well as senior Nicole Canning.

Veteran leader Nicole Pasciolla returns to lead the midfield. A fifth-year senior out of Park Ridge, N.J., Pasciolla started 20 games last season and registered eight shots, including three on goal. She has been named to All-BIG EAST three times, including making the third team last season. Senior Raelynne Lee, who scored one goal and notched three assists, also returns as an experienced leader for STJ. Freshman Jen Gibbons will also see time in the midfield.

Pushing the attack at the front will be junior Jen Leaverton. Leaverton is the top returning points scorer, tallying three goals and one assist last season. Freshman Amy Marron will also play at the forward position.

Unbeaten In Preseason Action

St. John's played two exhibition contests and remained unbeaten in preseason action with two draws. Junior Jen Leaverton and freshman Kerry Cummings each tallied one goal as St. John's played No. 16 Maryland to a 2-2 draw in a home exhibition contest on Aug. 11. Junior Kristin Russell started in goal and made four saves in a scoreless first period. Although the Terrapins controlled play early, Russell was up to the challenge as she and the St. John's defense kept Maryland off the board. Both Red Storm goals came in the second period, while the Terrapins pulled even for the final score in the third period of play.

St. John's closed out exhibition play on Aug. 15 with a 1-1 tie against UMass at home. Morgan Ritter tallied a goal early in the first period and Russell worked 55:00 scoreless minutes in net. The Red Storm had eight shots, including seven on goal in the 95-minute contest. Junior Jen Leaverton tallied the assist on St. John's early goal turning a midfield turnover into points by setting Ritter up with a one-on-one opportunity. Although UMass evened the tally early into the second stanza, the Red Storm defense held tight and limited the visitor's opportunities for the rest of the match.