The St. John’s University men suffered their first loss of the Big East season, falling to Villanova University, 4-0, at Belson Stadium in Queens, N.Y. on Friday night.
The Wildcats (3-2-2, 1-0-1) netted three goals in the opening half in a span of 17 minutes. Gray Ricca scored in the 24th minute before Lyam MacKinnon added another in the 31st minute. Viktor Benediktsson logged the third tally in the 41st minute.
Vincent Petrera added the Wildcats’ fourth and final goal in the 75th minute.
MacKinnon and Petrera added assists, as did Balthi Saunders and Dominic Cyriacks.
Villanova outshot the Red Storm, 11-7, marking the second time this season that St. John’s (2-5-1, 1-1-0) has recorded fewer tries than its opponent. Four of those St. John’s shots came off the foot of Adrian Roseth. Einar Lye, Wesley Leggett and Nigel Griffith also added chances.
The Johnnies will close out non-conference as they welcome Princeton to Belson on Tuesday at 7 p.m.