QUEENS, N.Y. – The William and Mary men’s soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision Saturday night to No. 12 St. John’s at Belson Stadium.  The College cut the Red Storm lead down to a goal after sophomore Marcus Luster netted his first career score in the 69th minute.  However, the Tribe was unable to tie the match as it fell to 1-2-1 on the year, while St. John’s improved to 5-0-1.   

“We did not have a good first half and I take responsibility”, stated head coach Chris Norris.  However, we played our way back into the game in the second half and I am very pleased with the effort and attitude.  Although we are disappointed with the result, I believe that we gained a great deal from this match.”

In the early going, sophomore Chris Perez generated a good look on frame, but was turned away by St. John’s junior keeper Rafael Diaz in the fourth minute.  Before the first-half ended, the Red Storm managed to score two goals.  Freshman Danny Bedoya netted SJU’s first tally in the 39th minute, while senior Jack Bennett scored the Red Storm’s second goal on a penalty kick in the 44th minute.

In the second-half, the Green and Gold got on the scoreboard in the 69th minute, as Luster headed in a corner kick from senior Ben Anderson.  It marked Luster’s first collegiate goal and points, while it was Anderson’s second assist on the season.  For the remainder of the contest, W&M fired three more shots on goal but were denied on each attempt.  Late in the match, Luster launched another header on frame, but this time Diaz made the save in the 87th minute.  The Tribe created two corner opportunities in match’s final minute but weren’t able to punch through the tying goal.

Although St. John’s outshot the Tribe, 18-13, the College owned a 10-5 advantage in the second half.  Sophomore Bennett Jones recorded six saves in 90 minutes of action.

The Tribe returns to action in the Creighton Invitational on Friday, Sept. 14, against Drake in Omaha, Neb.

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