CINCINNATI – After more than 70 minutes of scoreless action at Corcoran Field, Brandon Knapp headed home a cross from Jared Juleau, providing all the offense the St. John’s University men needed for a 1-0 win over Xavier University to open Big East play Saturday.
The goal was Knapp’s third of the season, all of which have been game-winners. Juleau’s assist was his second of the campaign.
Goalkeeper Luka Gavran made three first-half saves to record his fourth clean sheet.
St. John’s (5-2-0, 1-0-0) outshot Xavier, 13-4, including a 7-0 edge in the second half chances.
The Red Storm’s win was the first for the Johnnies against the Musketeers in Cincinnati, as St. John’s was 0-2-1 in road matches against Xavier heading into Saturday’s encounter.
St. John’s, which has won four straight and five of its last six, will return to action Friday night when it welcomes Creighton to Belson Stadium at 7 p.m.
