Skage Simonsen is coming off a fine freshman season. (Photo courtesy of St. John’s SID)
QUEENS, N.Y. – After becoming the first St. John’s University men’s player in more than two decades to be named the conference’s freshman of the year in 2018, Skage Simonsen has earned a spot on the preseason All-Big East team, it was announced this Wednesday by the league office.
The conference also announced the results of its preseason coaches poll as the Johnnies were picked to finish seventh in the league standings. Georgetown (81 points), nationally ranked 13th, was unanimously predicted to repeat as conference champions followed by Creighton (68) and Providence (65) in second and third place, respectively. Marquette (59), Xavier (44) and Butler (40) rounded out the top six followed by St. John’s (33), Seton Hall (28), DePaul (21) and Villanova (11 pts).
Simonsen, who also became the first St. John’s player in program history to be named to the All-Big East second team as a freshman, tied for the team lead in goals, assists and points. He found the back of the net six times and dished out four assists in 18 appearances, 17 of which were starts.
Four of Simonsen’s six goals came during conference play, as the Red Storm secured a berth in the Big East Tournament for the second consecutive season. The Johnnies went 4-0-2 in matches that featured a Simonsen goal in 2018.
The Red Storm will kick off its 2019 campaign in the Tar Heel State, facing Appalachian State Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. Two days later, the Red Storm will travel to Raleigh to square off with North Carolina State, which received votes in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll.
The Johnnies will contest their home opener against Manhattan College Friday, Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Big East men’s soccer preseason honors
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Derek Dodson, Georgetown, Jr., F
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Dylan Nealis, Georgetown, Sr., D
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Paul Kruse, Creighton, So., G
2019 Men’s Soccer Preseason All-BIG EAST #
^ Derek Dodson, Georgetown, Jr., F
Achara, Georgetown, Sr., F
C.J. Tibbling, Seton Hall, So., F
Samson Sergi, Xavier, RS-Sr., F
Luka Prpa, Marquette, Sr., M
Skage Simonsen, St. John’s, So., M
Tiago Mendonca, Providence, Sr., M
Jared Timmer, Butler, Sr., M
^ Dylan Nealis, Georgetown, Sr., D
Patrick Seagrist, Marquette, Sr., D
Max de Bruijne, DePaul, Sr., D
Paul Kruse, Creighton, So., G
2019 BIG EAST Men’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll
First place votes in ( )
|
1. Georgetown (9) |
81 pts. |
|
2. Creighton |
68 |
|
3. Providence |
65 |
|
4. Marquette (1) |
59 |
|
5. Xavier |
44 |
|
6. Butler |
40 |
|
7. St. John’s |
33 |
|
8. Seton Hall |
28 |
|
9. DePaul |
21 |
|
10. Villanova |
11 |
^ – denotes unanimous selection
# there is an extra player on the preseason All-BIG EAST team due to a tie in voting
