Nov. 14, 1997
Notre Dame Eliminated from BIG EAST Championship
Irish Lose to No. 2 St. John's
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Ryan Turner scored Notre Dame's lone goal in the 4-1 defeat. (file photo)
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STORRS, Conn. --- Defending BIG EAST tournament champion Notre Dame
was eliminated from the 1997 BIG EAST Men's Soccer Championship following a 4-1
semifinal loss to defending national champion and second-ranked St. John's at
Joseph J. Morrone Stadium in Storrs, Conn.
Stefani Miglioranzi had a big day for the top-seeded Red Storm as he
finished with a goal and two assists. St. John's dominated the contest
outshooting the fifth-seeded Irish 21-7 and owning a 10-0 advantage in corner
kicks.
The game was played under less than ideal conditions as players from
both teams were slowed by 30-degree temperatures and snow and sleet throughout
the contest.
St. John's had a 2-0 lead at halftime with goals from Miglioranzi and
Robert Wile. Miglioranzi put the Red Storm up 1-0 just 4:33 into the contest
when he took a Shane Mulholland pass and shot it past Irish goalkeeper Greg
Velho. At the 19-minute mark Wile took a cross from Mulholland and booted it
over the head of Velho.
Jesse Van Saun scored from 15 yards out to put St. John's up 3-0 on a
breakaway after he took a pass from Miglioranzi who had stolen the ball.
Notre Dame finally got on the scoreboard at the 71:35 mark when Ryan
Turner scored from 12 yards out following a diagonal cross from Bill Savarino.
Jimmy Buscemi tallied the game's final score from just a yard out after
Muglioranzi crossed it to him in the goal mouth.
Velho was on the defensive all afternoon and came up with nine saves in
goal.
Notre Dame ends it season with a 10-9-2 record.
St. John's will play Rutgers in the championship game at noon on
Sunday, November 16. The third-seeded Scarlet Knights beat second-seeded
Georgetown in the other semifinal matchup.
