PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The St. John’s University men kicked off the preseason with a 2-2 draw against Rutgers University Friday night at Yurcak Field.

Senior midfielder Brandon Knapp anchored the Red Storm offense against its former Big East foe, scoring a goal and registering an assist during the Johnnies’ first August action since 2019.

Knapp struck first on a penalty kick before assisting on the second goal, a strike off the foot of sophomore Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau.

Knapp has earned All-Big East recognition in each of the past two seasons as a member of the conference’s third team as a sophomore and junior.

The Red Storm will play two more exhibition matches before the start of the regular season, hosting Long Island University Monday evening at Belson Stadium before closing out the exhibition portion of its schedule Aug. 20 against Temple University in Philadelphia.

The fall campaign will kick off its season Aug. 26 when the Red Storm travels to Clemson, S.C., for a match against sixth-ranked Clemson University.

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.