By Dylan Butler
In preparation of the regular season opener Aug. 31, the St. John’s men’s soccer team has once again gone oversees to train. The Red Storm are in the midst of a nine-day trip to Portugal.
The team, ranked No. 11 in the nation, will play three games against professional clubs during their tour.
“This will be a great experience for everyone involved,” said St. John’s head coach Dave Masur. “It’s a chance to get a headstart on the season and for the players to get ready for the rigors of the collegiate season. At the same time, it’s a chance for the entire team, coaches, players and staff, to learn about another culture. We’re very excited for the trip.”
This is the third oversees trip for St. John’s during Masur’s 11 years as head coach. The Red Storm traveled to England in 1992 and went to Italy in 1996 following the school’s first-ever NCAA Championship.
St. John’s arrived in Portugal from their flight from Newark Airport on Friday. After practicing in Lisbon Saturday, the team was slated to play its first match Sunday against Amora at Amora Field. Following the match, the Red Storm was scheduled to tour the famed Benefica Stadium.
Following a day off on Monday, St. John’s was to face Portimonese at Montechoro Field Tuesday and then play Farense at Montechoro Field Wednesday. After a practice session Thursday, the team was scheduled to return to the United States on Friday.
St. John’s, led by preseason All-American candidates seniors Shalrie Joseph and Jeff Matteo, will open the season against host Indiana in the adidas Classic Tournament Aug. 31. The Red Storm will then face Butler Sept. 1.
After opening its Big East schedule at Providence Sept. 8, the Red Storm play its home opener against local rival Columbia Sept. 12.
SJU coach Skudin takes two silver medals at Lifeguard competition
St. John’s head men and women’s swim coach John Skudin earned two siver medals at the 2001 National Lifeguard Championships in Miami Beach, Fla earlier this month.
Skudin, competing in the Masters Division for the Long Beach Lifeguards, placed second in both the American Ironman and International Ironman competitions. He also placed fifth in the Surf Ski competition, helping the Long Beach squad to a 14th place finish out of 36 teams.
“I felt good,” said Skudin, who has competed in Lifeguard competitions for the past 22 years. “I was really happy with it.”
The Men’s American Ironman race consisted of a 500-meter surfboat race, a 400-meter paddle board leg, and a 300-meter swim leg. The International Ironman is a continuous race consisting of a 300-meter swim, a rescue board paddle of 400 meters, and a surfski paddle of 500 meters, with a 100-meter run between each discipline. In the Surf Ski, the competitors must jumpstart onto the ski and paddle through the surf around buoys and back to the finish line.
Skudin has coached the men’s and women’s swim teams for the past 11 years and last season guided the men’s squad to a school-best second place finish at the BIG EAST Championship, earning him his second Big East Coach of the Year award.
Reach Associate Sports Editor Dylan Butler by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 143.
