Box Score

WINONA, Minn. – Saint John's soccer scored five goals in the second half, including three from sophomore forward Ronan O'Connor (Woodbury, Minn./Hill-Murray), to clinch a spot in next week's six-team MIAC Playoffs with a 5-1 win at Saint Mary's on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

The hat trick is the second of the season (team's third) for O'Connor, who tied the program's single-season record for goals set by Ken Potts in 1974 with 19 in 18 games this fall. O'Connor's 48 points (19g/10a) are also second-most behind Potts' 56 in '74.

The MIAC Playoff appearance is the Johnnies' 14th overall since the tournament was established in 2003 and the fifth in the last six seasons. SJU (11-4-3, 4-4-1 MIAC), which moved up one spot to No. 7 in today's (Tuesday, Oct. 28) United Soccer Coaches Region IX poll, will travel to face an opponent to-be-determined in the MIAC Quarterfinals on Monday, Nov. 3.

O'Connor broke open the scoring 4:41 into the second half, as freshman midfielder Eli Ryan (Victoria, Minn./Minnetonka) drew the foul in the box to set up the Johnnies' third converted PK of the season.

Just over six minutes later, O'Connor and freshman forward Lisle Cherwien (Mound, Minn./Orono) connected on the attack for a cross from Cherwien into the box, which sophomore defender Thomas Theising (Minneapolis, Minn./Wayzata) tapped into the net for his first collegiate goal.

O'Connor added his second of the game two minutes later, with Cherwien once more directing the offense after a pass from senior defender Caden Ligman (St. Paul, Minn./Highland Park) put the ball into the SJU attacking half. Cherwien sent a shot off the Cardinal keeper's hands that bounced off the post and then to the foot of O'Connor in the box. 

O'Connor was denied on his second PK attempt in the 74th minute when SMU's Ryan Horlock made the save to prevent him from completing his hat trick. But, five minutes later, O'Connor reconciled his miss, sending a header from freshman defender Ryan Josephson (Minneapolis, Minn./Washburn) into the bottom corner of the goal.

Ivan Ruiz erased the shutout for SMU (4-10-3, 1-7-1 MIAC) with his third goal of the season in the 84th minute, but freshman defender Peter Alberigi (Frisco, Texas/Founders Classical Academy) capitalized on a corner kick play from senior forward Connor Drong (St. Cloud, Minn./Cathedral) and sophomore midfielder Asher Wynn (North Oaks, Minn./Mounds View) for his first collegiate goal with 31 seconds remaining. 

Freshman Cole Hanson (Urbandale, Iowa) made one save to earn his fourth-straight victory and improve his season record to 6-2-1.

SJU totaled a 28-10 advantage in shots, including a massive 20-2 margin on goal, and posted 11 corner kicks to the Cardinals' two.

The Johnnies visit Hamline for the regular-season finale at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, in St. Paul.