St. John’s University Lacrosse Team Travels to Newark to Take on NJIT in Highly-Anticipated Season Opener
Red Storm Looks to Build on Progress in 2025 Season
The St. John’s University lacrosse team (Red Storm) kicks off the 2025 season on Saturday, Feb. 8, with a highly-anticipated matchup against NJIT (Highlanders) at Mal Simon Stadium in Newark, New Jersey.
Fans Can Expect an Exciting Rematch
Fans can expect an exciting rematch between two squads eager to make a statement in their respective conferences. The faceoff is set for noon, and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+. Live stats will be available here.
Last Season’s Progress
St. John’s finished with a 4-11 record, but there were notable improvements, including the team’s first BIG EAST victory since 2016. With a solid core of returning players and a strong blend of experience and new talent, the Red Storm are looking to build on their progress in 2025.
Senior Attackman Brian Kelly Leads the Team
Senior attackman Brian Kelly, a standout for St. John’s since his arrival, will once again lead the team. The Red Hook native had another stellar season in 2024, recording 44 points, including 29 goals and 15 assists. Kelly was named to the 2024 All-BIG EAST First Team and earned a spot on the 2025 preseason All-BIG EAST Team.
Kelly’s Career Statistics
With 136 career points and 81 career goals, Kelly ranks seventh and eighth, respectively, in St. John’s history. He is only two points away from tying Mike Madsen for sixth and four goals shy of tying Jason DeBenedictis for seventh place. The experienced senior enters his final season with high expectations, aiming to break more program records and lead the Red Storm to success.
Other Key Players
Kelly won’t be alone in leading St. John’s this year. Senior Bobby Seel, another key offensive contributor, returns after an impressive 2024 season in which he tallied 25 goals and 16 assists. Seel was also named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team.
On the offensive side, St. John’s will also look to redshirt sophomore Adrian Nowak, who returns after missing the final nine games of the 2024 season due to injury. In his limited action last year, Nowak impressed, scoring nine goals and assisting one other.
Faceoff Specialist Adam Dembicki
In addition to their attacking talent, St. John’s has one of the top faceoff specialists in the country, sophomore Adam Dembicki. The Fairfax native was solid in his freshman year, winning 61-of-132 faceoffs while scooping up 23 groundballs.
Defense and New Additions
On the defensive end, senior captain Braeden Pratt and junior Harry Noel return to anchor a St. John’s defense that allowed the fewest goals per game since 2019. With their leadership and solid performances, the Johnnies are confident in keeping opposing offenses at bay.
The Red Storm have also bolstered their roster with 22 new faces this season, including five transfers and 17 freshmen. Among the transfers, former Dickinson netminder Patrick Scarborough is expected to make an immediate impact in goal. Scarborough won 22 games in three seasons as a starter, bringing a wealth of experience to the team.
Conclusion
The Red Storm hopes to turn the page on last year’s challenges and build towards a successful 2025 campaign. With a strong core of returning players and new additions, St. John’s is poised for an exciting season.
FAQs
* When is the game? The game is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 8, at noon.
* Where is the game? The game will be held at Mal Simon Stadium in Newark, New Jersey.
* How can I watch the game? The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
* What are the current records of the two teams? St. John’s finished with a 4-11 record in 2024, while NJIT finished with an 8-6 record.
* Who are the key players to watch? Brian Kelly, Bobby Seel, and Adam Dembicki are expected to lead the Red Storm, while Ryan Sinisky and senior captain Braeden Pratt will lead the Highlanders.
