By Dylan Butler
There is no doubt in Rich Bradley’s mind that the Connecticut men’s soccer team will be thinking about revenge when it makes the two-and-a-half hour bus trip south for its clash with the Red Storm Friday at 8 p.m.
The St. John’s senior midfielder is sure many of the Husky players remember that the Red Storm beat them on their own field for the Big East title last year and want nothing more than to hand the Red Storm its first loss at Belson Stadium.
“They were really hurt. If [there] was anyone who they didn’t want to lose [the tournament championship to], it’s us,” Bradley said. “They definitely want to pay us back and, if anything, make sure that we don’t win the regular season and we don’t win the Big East tournament.”
The game is the premier match of the St. John’s Classic, which also features local teams Long Island University and Adelphi, which open the tournament Friday at 6 p.m.
Both teams are coming into the tournament off disappointing results. No. 2 St. John’s (10-1-3, 6-1-1) tied unranked Syracuse, 1-1, Saturday, while ninth-ranked UConn (10-3, 5-2) gave up three second-half goals in a 3-1 loss at Notre Dame Sunday.
“The loss to Notre Dame doesn’t please us, but you don’t need any extra motivation for a St. John’s/UConn game,” coach Ray Reid said. “Dave [Masur] does a great job, they’re a great program and we have to make sure we’re ready for them.”
A win over the Huskies, who also play an attacking style and love to pressure the ball like the Red Storm, can all but clinch the Big East regular season title for St. John’s, which is 3-0-1 at home since the opening of Belson Stadium.
“To me it boils down to Ray Reid and Dave Masur, two of the best coaches in the country,” said St. John’s junior defender Chris Wingert. “We’ve both been lucky enough to be at the top the last few years. Our styles kind of conflict a little bit, the way we play. That causes for a good game. Since I’ve been here, every game has a one-goal game or less, and every game’s a battle. It’s become a big rivalry for us.”
UConn is led offensively by senior Damani Ralph, one of the top strikers in the country. Ralph leads the Huskies with 11 goals, including five game-winners. Cesar Cuellar (nine goals, three assists for 21 points), Anthony Curtis (six assists) and Leandro de Oliveira (three goals, two assists for eight points) are also dangerous in the attacking third.
Defensively, the Huskies are led by sophomore Shavar Thomas and freshman keeper Adam Schuerman (0.85 goals against average).
“When you play UConn it’s more of a chess match, you’re trying to read the play more, read the game, trying to break the other team down more,” said St. John’s senior defender Pat Lonergan. “Every year I’ve played them it’s been a huge game, probably one of the biggest games of the year for us. We always get up for each other; it’s going to be a good one.”
The series is tied at 8-8-1 with Connecticut owning a 4-11 edge since Reid took over for Joseph Marrone six years ago. UConn faces Adelphi at 6 p.m. Saturday, while St. John’s takes on LIU Saturday at 8 p.m. in the tournament finale.
Reach Associate Sports Editor Dylan Butler by email at TimesLedger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 143.
