QUEENS, N.Y. – With the start of the regular season right around the corner, the St. John’s women’s soccer team will begin preseason play Wednesday night against local rival Fordham at 7 p.m. at Belson Stadium.

The two teams, who last met during the 2013 regular season, are scheduled to play three 30-minute periods under the lights.

Last season the Johnnies went unbeaten at home, posting an 8-0-2 record on their home turf.

After the game, the Red Storm hits the road to take on Penn State Saturday in its final preseason tune up. The regular season kicks off Friday, Aug. 18 when the team travels to Philadelphia to take on La Salle.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.