MIAC Release
COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - Four Saint John's University student-athletes were named to the 2021 All-MIAC soccer team on Tuesday, Nov. 9.
Junior midfielder
Matt D. Anderson (Omaha, Neb./Creighton Prep) was named to the first team, while senior forward
Tommy Picka (Victoria, Minn./Chaska), junior defender
Aidan Becken (Prior Lake, Minn.) and freshman goalkeeper
Evan Siefken (Lakeville, Minn./North) were honorable mention. Senior midfielder
Drew Engel (De Pere, Wis.) was named to the MIAC All-Sportsmanship team.
The five Johnnies started all 10 MIAC games this fall.
The All-MIAC first-team honor is the first for Anderson, who was named All-MIAC honorable mention as a freshman defender in 2019. Anderson led SJU in shots (23) and shots on goal (14) in conference play and finished with six points (2g/2a). Overall, Anderson was one of three Johnnies to start all 18 games and led the team with five goals, while finished second in points with 13. He enters the 2022 season with 22 points (8g/6a) in 40 career games.
Picka led the Johnnies this fall in points, both in conference play (8; 2g/4a) and overall (14; 4g/6a). He also led SJU in game-winning goals with three (two in MIAC games), including the thrilling tally in overtime Nov. 1 at then-No. 19 Gustavus Adolphus that sent the Johnnies to the MIAC semifinals. Picka ended his SJU career with 21 points (6g/9a) in 51 games.
Becken scored two goals in conference play, including the game-winner in overtime Sept. 18 at Saint Mary's. He collected six points (2g/2a) overall and eight (3g/2a) in 28 career games.
Siefken finished third in the MIAC with a 0.97 GAA and totaled a 4-6 record with two shutouts and 39 saves (.796) in conference play. He made 17 starts overall and posted a 7-9-1 record. His 79 saves were also good for third in the league.
SJU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) president for the 2021-22 academic year, Engel totaled six points (2g/2a) and the game-winning goal - his first collegiate tally - Sept. 4 against Wisconsin-Platteville.
The Johnnies finished sixth in the conference with a 4-6 record (8-9-1 overall) and made their 10th trip to the semifinals in 11 MIAC Playoff appearances.
