2018 Men’s Lacrosse Year in Review: #44 St. John’s Red Storm

With the 2018 college lacrosse season complete, it’s time to start looking back at how all 71 teams did during the season, as well as what to expect from each squad for 2019.

We’ve already begun looking back to 2018 with some team recaps thus far and continued our series this week with Hofstra and Brown.

So with that, let’s continue the recaps!

#44 St. John’s Red Storm

Conference: Big East
2018 Record: 6-8 (0-5 in Big East play)
Head coach: Jason Miller (12th Year)

Statistical Leaders

Goals: Joe Madsen (31)
Assists: Jason DeBenedictis (16)
Points: Jason DeBenedictis (45)
Faceoffs: Justin Corpolongo (105-of-232; 45.3%)
Ground balls: Luke Roediger (59)
Caused turnovers: Aidan Marron (12)
Goals against average: Matt Hanley (9.99 GAA)
Save percentage: Matt Hanley (52.9%)

Personnel Losses

Key seniors departing: A Jason DeBenedictis (29 Gs, 16 As, 21 GBs), G Matt Hanley (9.99 GAA, 52.9% SV %, 44 GBs, 8 CTs, 1 A), M Corey Haynes (7 Gs, 15 As, 13 GBs), FOGO Justin Corpolongo (45.3% faceoff draws, 30 GBs, 2 Gs, 1 A), D John Saunders (25 GBs, 11 CTs), SSDM TJ Marron (50 GBs, 9 CTs, 2 Gs)
Senior scoring departing: 76 of 224 points (33.9%)
Senior starts lost: 54 of 140 (38.6%)

Season Summary

After a one-win season in 2017, St. John’s started the year 6-2 before Big East conference play began. They looked like one of the better surprises in college lacrosse when they nearly upset North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

But outside of Hofstra, their wins at the time weren’t that appealing. Were the Red Storm legit? Big East play answered that question. For the second straight year, St. John’s failed to win a conference game, despite coming close against Marquette and Villanova. They also fell to Stony Brook by two goals.

Another year under many of the team’s belt helped in the long run, and having seniors Jason DeBenedictis, Corey Haynes, and John Saunders also helped. Sophomore Joe Madsen and junior Colin Duffy flanked DeBenedictis at attack for the entire season, while Haynes was joined by junior Declan Swartwood and sophomore Mike Madsen. The entire attack unit scored more than 25 points per player, which was Joe Madsen’s total last year as he led the team.

Defensively, Saunders had sophomore Pat Smyth and junior Aidan Marron joining Saunders at close defense, with junior Luke Roediger at LSM. Tim Kiel and Keegan Brownlow also played roles with long poles, along with TJ Marron, Matt Stockfeder, and Chris Buscemi as shorties. Senior Matt Hanley started all 14 games in his only year in Queens after spending three years at St. Michael’s College.

Looking Ahead

The Johnnies lose one senior from each department except at LSM, including FOGO Justin Corpolongo. That’s a good chunk of leadership and on-field talent gone. But with plenty of younger talent still there, St. John’s should be able to do fine in 2019 without them.

Sophomore Matt Oehl should see more time on offense after recording one goal and 15 assists last season. Another sophomore, Ryan Schaeffer, scored six goals and two assists in 14 games. At the X, Paul Tornatore went 38.5% last season as the backup FOGO. The biggest question will be in goal, as the Red Storm will have their seventh straight primary goalie. They haven’t had any consistency since Jeff Lowman left after the 2013 season. Freshman Gavin Catalano played in two games and 2:38 of playing time. They also have sophomore Brian Quick as returning netminders.

Here’s who the Red Storm will be adding to their roster for next year.*

*Compiled from a multitude of websites. Schools usually officially announce their recruiting class during the fall semester.