QUEENS, N.Y. – Playing its second exhibition match of the preseason, the St. John’s University men connected on three goals in 11 minutes during the first half en route to a 3-1 victory over the University of New Hampshire at Belson Stadium Monday night.
Redshirt junior Andrea Previati and freshman Jack Shearer led the offensive charge as each player tallied a goal and an assist.
Alistair Johnston, a 2016 Big East all-freshman team selection, added a goal for the Johnnies, while Matt Forster picked an assist.
“It was a tough, physical match,” head coach Dr. Dave Masur said. “I don’t think we started well, but it was nice to see us push forward and get some goals and do a good job of reestablishing ourselves and competing through most of the game. It’s a process and we certainly have to get a lot better as we go forward.”
The Red Storm fell behind as New Hampshire scored from a challenging angle on the left side in the eighth minute.
The hosts quickly shifted the momentum of the match, firing off the next several shots before Johnston knotted the contest at 1-1 in the 27th minute. Shearer corralled a loose ball to the right of the goal and played it in front to a waiting Johnston, who slipped it past the keeper.
The Red Storm added the go-ahead goal two minutes later as Forster streaked down the left side before sending a cross to Previati at the far post. The redshirt junior touched it to Shearer alone in front and the rookie slammed it home.
The Johnnies were not finished yet in the first half, drawing a foul just outside the box to earn a dangerous free kick in the 38th minute. Previati played a ball into the six on the ensuing set piece, bouncing off the turf before trickling across the goal line and giving the Red Storm a 3-1 advantage.
St. John’s will close out its preseason schedule, hosting LIU Brooklyn at 8 p.m. Saturday.
