By Dylan Butler
The Cavaliers advance to the quarterfinals to take on Creighton, 3-0 winners over San Diego, while the St. John's season ends at 14-5-2.
“It's very disappointing,” said St. John's head coach Dave Masur. “We gave up an early goal and we were chasing the rest of the way.”
Virginia (17-5-1) jumped ahead in the 10th minute when Ryan Gibbs' free kick found Steve Totten, whose shot from 20 yards out beat St. John's keeper Jeff Stoklosa low to the far post.
Exactly 15 minutes later the Cavaliers had a two-goal advantage on another set piece. This time it was Alecko Eskandarian getting a shot on goal. Stoklosa made a diving save, but Gibbs pounced on the rebound and put the ball into the net from four yards out
The Red Storm had a chance to take a 1-0 lead early in the first half when junior Shalrie Joseph took a pass in the box and appeared to break free, but was taken down from behind.
Midway through the first half Joseph again appeared to find space in the box, but Cavalier keeper David Comfort knocked away the pass. Joseph's header later in the half went wide and sophomore Matia Damiani and junior Rich Bradley each had chances, but their shots went wide.
St. John's, which pushed forward all game, was finally able to put the ball in the net with 1:33 left in regulation. Senior Adam Maurer headed a cross from junior midfielder Jeff Matteo which caromed off the crossbar and bounced down just inside the white goal line.
The Red Storm desperately tried to net the equalizer in the final minute and a half, but the Cavalier defense was able to thwart St. John's to end the Red Storm's season.
