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A new era of Johnnie soccer begins with the 2025 season.
2025 SEASON PREVIEW
New head coach Tudor Flintham – a 2006 SJU graduate and a former standout player and assistant coach at the school – returns to his alma mater after leading MIAC-rival Gustavus Adolphus to five conference championships over the past six full seasons.
Flintham – who was named SJU’s director of soccer/head coach this past December – inherits a team that finished 6-8-1 a year ago, missing the MIAC playoffs for just the second time in the past 12 years.
His team will be tested as the Johnnies’ 19-game regular-season schedule includes three NCAA Division III tournament teams (MIAC foes St. Olaf and Gustavus and non-conference opponent Wisconsin-Superior) from a year ago.
Ten of those 19 games are scheduled to be played at home in Collegeville.
Here is a more in-depth look at how SJU is expected to stack up this fall:
BACK WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Flintham was the associate head coach at SJU from 2010-14 and also served as an assistant coach at Saint Benedict from 2012-14.
He replaced John Haws ‘99, who resigned in the summer of 2024 following 14 seasons as head coach. Noel Quinn held the job on an interim basis last fall.
The Johnnies totaled a 46-34-11 record (28-16-6 MIAC) with two MIAC Playoff championship game appearances during Flintham’s five seasons on staff, while the Bennies went 37-13-6 (23-9-1 MIAC) in their three seasons with MIAC regularseason and playoff titles and an NCAA tournament appearance in 2013.
A native of Norwich, England, Flintham registered 59 points (20g/19a) in 64 career games for the Johnnies from 2002-05. He captained SJU to an MIAC playoff championship, led the conference in both goals and assists and earned All-
MIAC, Academic All-MIAC and All-Region honors in 2005. Flintham earned his master’s degree in sport management from St. Cloud State in 2014.
FAMILIAR ASSISTANTS
Flintham tapped two former Johnnie goalkeepers, Kevin Lebahn ‘16 and Evan Siefken ‘25, to complete his coaching staff in March. Lebahn is the first full-time assistant soccer coach at SJU, while Siefken will be the program’s head goalkeeping coach.
Lebahn had been the head women’s soccer coach at Nebraska Wesleyan the past two seasons and was the men’s soccer assistant coach, goalkeeper coach and women’s assistant soccer coach at Iowa Western Community College from 202123. Iowa Western ended the 2021 season with a 16-1-2 record under his leadership, winning the NJCAA national championship. Prior to Iowa Western, Lebahn served as an assistant/goalkeeper coach for the men’s soccer team at Augsburg for five seasons (2016-20). The Auggies recorded their highest national ranking in program history – No. 9 in 2019 – and qualified for the NCAA tournament in 2018. He also has coaching experience at Sporting Nebraska Football Club in Omaha and as an assistant for the Sporting Nebraska United women’s soccer teams. Lebahn was the first assistant at Minneapolis City SC in 2020-21, where he directed the team to conference regularseason and tournament championships and the national quarterfinals.
As a student-athlete at SJU, Lebahn ended his career with a 34-20-6 record, including 16 complete-game shutouts, a 1.08 GAA and a .803 save percentage (265 saves) in 60 games. As a senior in 2015, Lebahn became the first SJU goalkeeper to earn All-MIAC first-team honors since Kevin Kohnen in 2000 after he went 12-4-2 with a 0.87 GAA and a .797 save percentage (63 saves) overall. Siefken earned his third United Soccer Coaches All-Region honor in 2024. He became the Johnnies’ first three-time AllMIAC selection since Michael Coborn ‘14, a
four-time honoree from 2010-13, and the first at goalkeeper since Terry Leiendecker ‘83 (1980-82). Siefken started all 15 games and played all but 11:15 in net, posting a 6-8-1 mark with three shutouts, a 1.68 GAA and a .752 save percentage (76 saves) last fall.
He ended his career with a 26-30-9 record, 16 shutouts (another shared), a 1.36 GAA and a .797 save percentage (345 saves) in 65 career games.
Jason Anhorn joins the duo for his second season as a volunteer assistant coach. A 1996 graduate of ConcordiaMoorhead, Anhorn was a member of the Cobbers’ 1995 MIAC championship team. He has coached youth soccer for CMYSA for the past decade, helping lead his 16U team to a state title in 2023.
NEW NETMINDER
As mentioned above, the Johnnies need to replace a four-year starter in Siefken this fall. The frontrunners in goal include a pair of freshmen in 6-foot-6 Austin Ertel (Brownsburg, Ind./Lawrence Central) and Cole Hanson (Urbandale, Iowa). Ertel was a two-time All-Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference pick, while Hanson graduated high school in 2024 and spent last year at the Spain Soccer Academy in Seville, Spain.
RETURNING EXPERIENCE
SJU returns 12 Johnnies who played at least 10 of the team’s 15 games last season, as well as four of the team’s top five scorers. In total, the 2025 team welcomes back 60.6 percent (63 of 104) of its points, 61.8 percent (21 of 34) of the goals scored and 58.3 percent (21 of 36) of the assists from last fall. Individually, sophomore forward Ronan O’Connor (Woodbury, Minn./Hill-Murray) played all 15 games (13 starts) and led the team in goals (6) and points (14). He tied senior forward Carter Hermanson (St.
HANSON ERTEL
N T H E F I E L D
CHAMPIONS
I N L O G I S T I C S
2025 SEASON PREVIEW CONTINUED...
Paul, Minn./Holy Angels) for the team lead with 13 shots on goal. Hermanson tied for third on the team with junior midfielder Danny Boyle (Downers Grove, Ill./Benet Academy) with three goals and two assists each. Senior forward Alex Bowman (Elk River, Minn./Rogers) was second with 12 points (4g/4a) in just 12 games (10 starts).
Four seniors who played 14 games or more last fall also return. Forward Connor Drong (St. Cloud, Minn./Cathedral) posted five points (2g/1a) in 14 contests, while forward Riley Buxell (Afton, Minn./Stillwater Area) tallied two assists in 15 games (11 starts). Two defenders, Caden Ligman (14 games, 11 starts; St. Paul, Minn./Highland Park) and Foster Conlin (started all 15 games; Mooresville, N.C./Mounds View) were stalwarts on the backline but did not record a point. SJU also returns senior defender Noah Hermanson (St. Paul, Minn./Holy Angels), Carter’s twin brother who was one of three players that started all 18 games in 2023. He suffered an injury during spring practice and missed all of the 2024 season.
Three returning sophomores found the scoresheet as freshmen last fall. Midfielder Matt Holmes (Edina, Minn.) led the quartet with five points (1g/3a) in 14 games and defender Brendan Hainey (Minneapolis, Minn./Holy Angels) played all 15 games
(13 starts) and registered four assists. Defender Luke Madden (St. Paul, Minn./ Cretin-Derham Hall), meanwhile, tallied the assist on the game-tying goal and scored the game-winner with 1.4 seconds remaining in the thrilling 4-3 victory over St. Scholastica in the home finale.
NINE NON-CONFERENCE GAMES
The Johnnies play six of their nine nonconference games to open the season, beginning with the season opener against Nebraska Wesleyan on Aug. 29.
SJU travels to Concordia the following day for its first of two non-conference games against MIAC opponents. SJU hosts Crown and Bethany Lutheran Sept. 3 and 7 before traveling to North Central (Minn.) and Wisconsin-River Falls the following week.
A second non-conference meeting with St. Scholastica interrupts the MIAC schedule on Oct. 7, and the non-conference portion of the schedule concludes with a pair of home matches against Wisconsin-Superior (Oct. 17) and Wisconsin-Stout (Oct. 22).
THE MIAC SCHEDULE
SJU begins MIAC play with a pair of home games, Sept. 17 vs. St. Scholastica and Sept. 20 vs. Bethel, before Flintham faces his old program Sept. 27 at Gustavus. The Johnnies return to Collegeville for back-to-back contests against Augsburg (Sept. 30) and last year’s MIAC co-champions, St. Olaf (Oct. 4).
The aforementioned non-conference trip to St. Scholastica Oct. 7 begins a three-match
road stretch that includes Macalester (Oct. 11) and Carleton (Oct. 15). The Cobbers and Johnnies meet for a second time Oct. 25, this time at Haws Field, before ending the regular-season schedule at Saint Mary’s (Oct. 28) and Hamline (Nov. 1).
MIAC PLAYOFFS
The first round of the six-team MIAC Playoffs is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 3, and the MIAC semifinals follow on Thursday, Nov. 6. The MIAC championship game, with the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Division III tournament on the line, is set for Saturday, Nov. 8. The high seed hosts in all three rounds.
BOWMAN
C. HERMANSON
COACHING STAFF
TUDOR FLINTHAM
A familiar face is taking over the head coaching reins of the Saint John’s University soccer team this season.
Tudor Flintham ’06 was hired as the Johnnies’ director of soccer/head coach last December. He had served as the head men’s soccer coach at Gustavus the past seven seasons where he led the Gusties to a 92-20-18 record with five MIAC championships – four regular-season (2018, 2019, 2022, 2024) and one playoff (2019) – and five NCAA Division III tournament appearances (2018-19, 2022-24).
Long before that, though, Flintham was a standout player for the Johnnies, registering 20 goals and 19 assists (59 points) in 64 career games from 2002 to '05. During his senior season, he served as team captain, led the MIAC in goals and assists and helped SJU capture a conference playoff title. He also earned All-MIAC, Academic
All-MIAC and all-region honors that summer.
The Norwich, England, native then served as associate head coach at SJU from 2010 to '14, and as an assistant coach at the College of Saint Benedict from 2012 to '14.
The Johnnies went 46-34-11 (2816-6 MIAC) with two MIAC playoff championship game appearances during his five seasons on staff, while the Bennies were 37-13-6 (23-9-1 MIAC) in his three seasons there, winning MIAC regularseason and playoff titles and advancing to the NCAA Division III tournament in 2013.
“I am excited and honored to rejoin the Saint John’s community, as well as lead this new era of a historic program like Johnnie soccer,” Flintham said. “Throughout this process I was convinced thoroughly that SJU is committed to this team being not just good, but great. I want to thank everyone who was involved in that process who made me feel so welcomed and reassured that our ambitions are fully aligned.”
Prior to arriving at Gustavus, Flintham served as the head coach for both the men’s and women’s soccer programs at Nebraska Wesleyan University for three seasons (2015-17). The Prairie Wolves combined for 49 wins in the three seasons, including 33 shutouts. In 2017, the men’s team went 11-7-1 and won its first postseason game in 20 years.
He is also currently the
associate head coach of Minneapolis City SC in the USL2, the largest pre-professional soccer organization in the state, and works with high school student-athletes as a coach with the Elite Club National League’s (ECNL) Minnesota Thunder Academy.
Flintham replaces John Haws ’99, who resigned July 18 following 14 seasons as head coach. Noel Quinn, a former SJU soccer studentathlete and assistant coach, served as the interim head coach for the Johnnies in 2024 and led them to a 6-8-1 record (3-6-1 MIAC). Six of the eight losses were decided by one goal (four with a 1-0 score).
“As an alum of this program, I feel I have a clear vision of what this place can be,” Flintham said. “During my time as a player, we were ranked as high as No. 6 in the country, set the NCAAera program record for wins in a season and won the MIAC playoff championship in its third year of implementation.
“Johnnie soccer is a sleeping giant. It’s not only a program that should be perennially competing at the top of the MIAC, but nationally. That’s the mandate we now have. We have a lot of work to do. But that change has happened fast wherever I have been and I am excited to reestablish Johnnie soccer as a household name around the North Region and Division III.”
TOGETHER UNITED WITH MNUFC
Saint John’s University and the College of Saint Benedict have teamed up with Minnesota United FC. In 2024, the two schools entered into a three-year agreement to become the official higher education partner of the Major League Soccer franchise, which averaged 19,584 fans per home game during the 2024 season.
As part of the exclusive partnership, CSB and SJU have a prominent presence at Allianz Field through in-stadium scoreboard and field-level digital displays – providing expanded visibility not just to soccer fans in attendance, but to the sizeable audience viewing the team’s broadcasts on Apple TV. The agreement also provides for a number of other promotional opportunities, including CSB+SJU Night at Allianz Field when Minnesota United plays host to Kansas City at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 4.
“During the first of our three-year partnership with Minnesota United FC, we gained exceptional visibility for CSB+SJU, reaching fans in a high-energy, high-attention environment at Allianz Field,” said Sarah Forystek, the associate director of marketing at CSB and SJU.
“Our activations on match days give us the opportunity to connect with prospective students and families in meaningful ways –sparking conversations, sharing our story and showcasing the vibrant community and transformative education offered at CSB+SJU. This engagement not only builds awareness but also strengthens our presence in the Twin Cities and beyond.”
The partnership between CSB and SJU and Minnesota United is a natural fit given the prominent roles a group of the schools’ alumni already hold with the team.
• Gretchen Korf, a 2000 CSB graduate, joined the organization in 2022 as the team’s chief financial officer after spending 14 years at UnitedHealth Group, working primarily in corporate affairs and philanthropy. Last November, her role was expanded to executive vice president, chief administrative officer and chief financial officer.
• Bryant Pfeiffer, a 1994 SJU graduate, has been with Minnesota United for more than eight years and is now the team’s executive vice president, chief revenue officer.
• Joe Deignan, a 1995 SJU graduate and former All-MIAC and Academic AllAmerican standout on the basketball court, is one of the club’s investors.
• Tom Vertin, part of SJU’s class of 1968, is also one of the team’s investors.
• Eric Thomes, a 1994 SJU graduate and another former basketball standout, is the chief commercial officer for Allianz Life Financial Services, the team’s stadium partner.
• Dr. Ryan Fader, a 2007 SJU graduate, is an orthopedic surgeon with Allina who serves as one of the team’s physicians.
“We are thrilled to join forces with the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University as our exclusive higher education partner,” Pfeiffer said. “The two schools offer a premiere and distinct educational experience and a passionate and devoted base of alumni and friends. The Johnnie/Bennie network extends far and wide. That includes myself – class of 1994 – and other members of our organization, making this partnership a natural fit.”
PAT LILLY, 1976; MIKE LILLY, 1977; TERRY LEIENDECKER, 1982
5 ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS BEN PASSE, 2006; PAUL WAGEMAN, 2015; DYLAN LEHRER, 2016, AIDAN BECKEN, 2021 AND ’22
All-MIAC First Team
1974 MIKE LILLY F
1975 MIKE LILLY M
1976 MIKE LILLY F
MARK COTE M
STEVE WESTLUND FB
JOHN WARREN GK
1977 MIKE LILLY F
PAT LILLY M
TIM RUTKA F
JOHN MCHALE HB
1978 PAT LILLY M
TIM RUTKA F
1979 JOHN CELLA FB
DAVE CLARK FB
TIM FREDERICK GK
SULAYMAN N’JIE HB
JIM PHELPS F
PAUL SCHOEN HB
1980 DAVE CLARK D
TERRY LEIENDECKER GK
JIM PHELPS F
MIKE TIERNEY M
1981 JEFF GRAEN M
TERRY LEIENDECKER GK
DAVE RYMANOWSKI D
JOHN TRACY F
1982 JEFF GRAEN M
TERRY LEIENDECKER GK
TIM LEONARD D
SULAYMAN N’JIE F
DAVE RYMANOWSKI D
JOHN TRACY F
1983 TIM COUGHLIN F
JEFF GRAEN M
TERRY LEIENDECKER GK
DAN LILLY D
SULAYMAN N’JIE F
1984 MIKE LYNN D
PAUL ROCHEFORD F
1985 RYAN LOGAN M
TIM ZITUR D
1986 JOHN BOYD* F
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
JOHN STEVENS F
SCOTT SWEDAL B
1987 JOHN BOYD F
RYAN LOGAN B
JOHN STEVENS F
1988 STEVE BENNETT M
JOHN BOYD* F
MIKE OELRICH D
JOHN STEVENS M
1989 GARY BISCHEL GK
GEORGE FEHRENBACH F
MIKE OELRICH* D
KURT ROEMER M
1990 GARY BISCHEL GK
GEORGE FEHRENBACH F
DERRICK LANCE D
1991 MIKE FAHEY GK
BRENT JOHNSON M
DERRICK LANCE D
1992 DAVE CLEMENTS M
BRYAN DIELEMAN M
BRENT JOHNSON M
1993 DAVE CLEMENTS D
BILL VANCE F
1994 CHRIS FOREMAN GK
ERIC ROSS M
NABIL GHARIB F
1995 GAGE DENNISON D
ERIC ROSS M
1996 NABIL GHARIB F
ERIC ROSS M
1997 ROSS GOLLA F
1999 KEVIN KOHNEN GK
NICK WESSINGER M
2000 ROSS GOLLA M
KEVIN KOHNEN GK
MIKE RUTTER M
2001 MIKE RUTTER M
JOE SCHMIDT F
2002 TYLER BOSCH F
MIKE RUTTER M
2003 JOE SCHMIDT F
ANDY WITCHGER F
2004 TYLER BOSCH F/M
THORALF KNOLL D
ANDY WITCHGER F/M
2005 TUDOR FLINTHAM F
TYLER KODET F
2006 TYLER KODET F
BRYAN MILLS D
BEN PASSE M
2007 JASON DALY D
CHRIS SCHULTZ D
2008 JASON DALY D
LEVI LOWELL F
CHRIS SCHULTZ D
2009 COLIN HALL M
2010 MICHAEL COBORN M
2011 MICHAEL COBORN M
2012 MICHAEL COBORN M
IAN SCUDDER F
2013 MICHAEL COBORN M
DAVID WEE F
2014 ROCKY HARMON M
ZANE HEINSELMAN F
ALEX NIEDERLOH M
2015 KEVIN LEBAHN GK
ALEX NIEDERLOH M
PAUL WAGEMAN F
2016 ZACK BOERJAN F
JUSTIN DUQUE D
ROCKY HARMON F
2017 ZACK BOERJAN M
DANIEL BRUCKBAUER M
2018 LEIGHTON LOMMEL M
2019 KAGAN FOSTER F
LEIGHTON LOMMEL M
2021 MATT D. ANDERSON M
2022 EVAN SIEFKEN GK
2023 MATT D. ANDERSON M
EVAN SIEFKEN GK
*MIAC MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD RECIPIENT
Academic All-District
2002 MIKE RUTTER M
2005 BEN PASSE M
2006 JASON DALY D
BEN PASSE M
2007 CAM CHRISTENSEN F
JASON DALY D
2008 CAM CHRISTENSEN M
JASON DALY D
2010 RYAN FUCHS D
2013 JOE BALDER D
2015 DYLAN LEHRER D
ALEX NIEDERLOH M
PAUL WAGEMAN F
2016 DYLAN LEHRER D
2021 AIDAN BECKEN D
2022 CAVIN ALLEN D
MATT D. ANDERSON M
AIDAN BECKEN D
DREW ENGEL M
EVAN SIEFKEN GK
JACK SIMONET M
2023 MATT D. ANDERSON M
NOAH HERMANSON D
2024 EVAN SIEFKEN GK
Academic All-Americans
2006 BEN PASSE M
2015 PAUL WAGEMAN F
2016 DYLAN LEHRER D
2021 AIDAN BECKEN D
2022 AIDAN BECKEN D
BECKEN
RECORDS
Points
SIEFKEN
BOSCH
NEW SJU COACH INTRODUCES FIRST-YEAR CLASS
Obviously, this is a unique situation for this group.
We needed a large influx of talent, and a new coaching staff looks for their own type of player. There will be a lot of opportunity for these guys in the coming years.
I really like this class a lot. It reminds me of some of the top classes I’ve brought in throughout my career. They somewhat remind me of the big class I brought in as associate head coach at SJU, who went on to appear in back-toback MIAC championship games in 2013 and ’14. But they also strongly resemble the 2019 class I brought in at Gustavus, who helped get us to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division III tournament.
Of course, these guys have a lot to do before any of that happens. We will be young and dumb at times this season. But I bet when we look at this group in a few years, there will be some all-region, and maybe even All-American, players there.
Here is a full look at our first-year class: Minnesota:
SOLOMON STRAUB – Midfielder playing with Minnesota United FC Academy and Joy of the People UPSL. Made it to final tryout for '05 U.S. National Team. Played in Generation Adidas Cup for MLSnext and U.S. Nationals for Futsal. All-State and high school captain at St. Thomas Academy.
AXEL MARTIN – Forward from Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL (Elite Club National League) and Rosemount High School captain. Top scorer on the MTA ECNL side who went to three national tournaments, a Sweet 16 and finished ninth nationally last year. Elite Club National League is the top non-pro academy level in the country.
by tudor flintham
IKE DEUEL – Defender/midfielder, also from Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL and a Maple Grove High School captain. Won a club national championship with Tonka Fusion Elite (TFE) prior to ECNL. I have coached this top MTA team for the past three years.
ELI RYAN – Defender/midfielder, also from Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL and a Minnetonka High School captain. Also a club national champion with TFE. Mr. Soccer finalist. Two ECNL nationals appearances.
OLIN FRANZWA – Defender from St. Croix Academy ECNL but also played for me at MTA ECNL. We went to ECNL nationals together. Minneapolis City Futures player. Woodbury High School captain and an all-state pick.
JAMES TORGUSON – Midfielder/winger from St. Croix Academy. SCA UPSL who won the 2025 Playoff Championship and Shakopee UPSL. Shakopee High School captain. State Cup champion. Numerous ECNL national events, two-time USA Cup champion.
CARTER GELLNER – Winger from Tonka Fusion Elite who went to the EA semis and the NPL National Championship game. Regular season champion with Blackhawks UPSL. Chanhassen High School captain. Two-time allconference and three-time team MVP.
GAGE MUELLER – Winger from Tonka Fusion Elite who went to the EA semis and NPL National Championship game. Regular season champion with Blackhawks UPSL. Benilde St. Margaret High School captain.
DEVIN IGL – Attacking midfielder/winger from Minneapolis United, Joy of the People and Park High School captain. Two-time NPL National runner-up. High school state fourth place. Two-time all-conference.
RYAN JOSEPHSON – Defender from Minneapolis United and Washburn High School. Club captain. Seven-time league
or club cup champion and two-time NPL National finalist and EA Nationals. AllState, two-time all-conference. Third place in high school state tournament.
THOMAS FALGIER – 6-foot-2 goalkeeper from Gitchi Gummi with UPSL experience in playoffs. Superior FC. Dynamo FC. State Cup Runner-up and All-American Cup winner. State high school all-tournament team, allconference pick, two-time section champion. Marshall High School and club team captain.
Out-of-state:
GABE FRANZMAN – Defender/ midfielder from Sporting Iowa ECNL. ECNL National Tournament qualifier and numerous ECNL national events. Sub-state finalist. Bettendorf High School team captain.
SIMON WILLETS – Midfielder/winger from Soldotna, Alaska, and Kenai Peninsula SC. High school state champion and two-time state runner-up, conference MVP, All-State and two-time all-conference pick. Three-year high school captain who had 40 goals and 21 assists.
PETER ALBERIGI – Defender from FC Dallas ECNL, Atlético Santa Rosa and Threat International FC UPSL. Four ECNL National Playoff appearances, two ECNL National Semifinal appearances and four Dallas Cup Final/Knockout Stage appearances. ECNL Phoenix National Showcase Player to Watch. Texas Conference runner-up. Two-time California State Cup champion. Four-time captain. UPSL team captain.
AUSTIN ERTEL – 6-foot-5 goalkeeper from Indianapolis. FC Pride ECNL. High school captain. Three-time all-conference and academic all-conference selection.
COLE HANSON – 6-foot-2 goalkeeper from Urbandale, Iowa. Sporting Iowa ECNL and Spain Soccer Academy. High school state champion, then took a gap year to play academy in Spain.
DREW RIPP – Defender from St. Croix Academy ECNL, Wisconsin Rush and Holmen High School. Starter for SCA ECNL, who appeared in numerous ECNL National events and was his high school team captain.
international team travel
In addition to the beautiful sights of Collegeville and Haws Field, the Saint John’s University soccer program also takes in the wonders of the world on an international trip every three to four years. The travel party consists of coaches, student-athletes, family and friends.
MOST RECENT INTERNATIONAL TRIPS
January 2007 Ireland
August 2013 Spain/France/Monaco
January 2017 Spain/France
January 2020 Italy
January 2023 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
CAMP NOU, BARCELONA
NÎMES, FRANCE RIO, BRAZIL
PANTHEON, ITALY
PROUD
SPONSOR AND CONTRACTOR FOR JOHNNIE
ATHLETICS
Here, Your Sport Doesn’t Define You –It Amplifies You
Athletics at Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s isn’t just stats and PRs. It’s self-discipline and perseverance and time management and friendships for a lifetime. It’s another tool for student success. And results show it’s a powerful one.
Are you ready to compete as a Bennie or a Johnnie? Come take a closer look –schedule a campus visit today!
2024 SEASON IN PICTURES
Soccer Facilities
Haws Field
Haws Field, named in honor of retired Saint John’s University soccer coach Pat Haws, opened for the 2013 soccer season. Key features of Haws Field include a natural grass playing surface, permanent team dugouts, bleacher, natural seating and a scoreboard.
The total cost of the project was $600,000, of which $400,000 came from a generous gift from Coborn’s Inc. The new soccer field was part of a $16 million athletic facilities renovation project at SJU.
The field is made up of “natural turf,” a sand-peat mixture with an engineered sub-base to allow for proper drainage throughout the year. This is designed to ensure that an excess of water will not cause significant damage to the pitch, something that is always a concern for any team with a grass field.
The new renovations to the pitch allow fans to sit closer to the field of play, especially with the retaining wall running along the touch and end lines. The complex is “light ready,” meaning that conduit is in place for future consideration.
Gagliardi Field
The Gagliardi Field and Seasonal Dome
complex is a perfect example of the sense of community found at SJU. Named in honor of legendary former football coach John Gagliardi – the winningest coach in college history – it was made possible by gifts from more than 50 individual donors, many of whom were former players.
The artificial turf field has markings for a fulllength football field, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, two cross-court soccer fields, baseball and softball, along with three batting cages when the Skalicky Dome goes up from October to April each academic year.
It’s a year-round home for intramural sports on campus, but also serves as a practice facility for the football team and other varsity sports.
McGlynn Fitness Center
When it comes to training, the right facilities are important. But having the right people in place to staff them is just as critical. Luckily, Saint John’s University has both.
The 5,600-feet McGlynn Fitness Center –which was made possible by a generous gift from the Burt McGlynn family and is open to all students and alums – is equipped with a full range of free weights, upper-body, lower-body and full-core machines, and cardiovascular machines such as treadmills, ellipticals and exercise bicycles.
But SJU athletes also have an exceptional resource on which to draw in Justin Rost, who is now in his 13th season as the assistant athletic trainer and head strength and conditioning coach in Collegeville.
a sense of connection
That’s what Saint John’s University junior Cole Stencel enjoys most about life in Collegeville.
The connection the physics major on a pre-engineering track feels with his professors and peers in the classroom, the connection he feels with his coaches and teammates on the Johnnies cross country and track and field teams, and the connection he feels to the natural beauty that surrounds him each and every day.
“We talk a lot about community here, but it’s really true,” Stencel said. “This is a very tight-knit place. You get to know everyone really well and you form lasting relationships. It’s also a very outdoorsy college, which is something I really enjoy. There are lakes right outside your door. There are acres and acres of woods and trails. I don’t know of any other campus that has this many natural resources.”
A Maple River High School graduate, Stencel made the dean’s list last semester and is also involved in SJU Campus Ministry.
“They really encourage you to get involved in the community here and that’s a good thing,” Stencel said. “Campus life makes up such a big part of the college experience. I’ve met so many people who I know are going to be my friends for a lifetime.”
Stencel’s interest in engineering springs from his father, Jay, a civil engineering instructor at South Central College in Mankato.
“That’s how I first got acquainted with the field and the concepts,” said Cole, who plans to attend graduate school, then pursue a career in the mechanical engineering field. “He was the one who told me to check out the kind of jobs that are available and everything engineering
entails. The more I got to know about it, the more it appealed to me.”
Stencel said the individual attention he gets from his professors at SJU is helping prepare him for future success.
“I feel really comfortable here,” he said. “There’s a big sense of belonging. There’s a lot of one-on-one time with the faculty. If I have a question, I feel like I can go to any of my professors and talk it over with them. That means a lot.”
But Stencel said his SJU experience would likely not have been possible were it not for the assistance scholarships have provided. He currently receives the John Drahmann Memorial Scholarship, as well as an academic achievement and alumni referral scholarship.
“That helped cut my bill more than in half right away, which made coming here so much more achievable,” he said.
“I just want to say thank you to all the donors who make it possible for students like me to be immersed in this amazing college experience. Without them, I wouldn’t be here. So I’m extremely grateful.”
senior spotlight
CADEN
ST. PAUL HIGHLAND PARK HIGH SCHOOL
What is your best memory from your time on campus – on or off the field?
Going to Morocco with my study-abroad classmates.
Cats or dogs and how come?
Cats because my dog is weird.
CARTER HERMANSON
OL ACADEMY OF HOLY ANGELS
What is something about you most people may not know?
My star sign is Cancer, and I enjoy reading and long walks on the beach.
If you could have any meal for dinner tonight, what would it be and why?
Carbonara – my favorite pasta dish – and milk. Yeah.
CONNOR DRONG
F ST. CLOUD CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL
If you were lost in the woods, which teammate would you most want with you and why?
Alex Bowman because he’d fish and hunt for all the food.
Cats or dogs and how come?
Dogs because my dog Dempsey is the man.
FOSTER
LIGMAN CONLIN
MOUNDS VIEW HIGH SCHOOL
What is your best memory from your time on campus – on or off the field?
One of my favorite memories came my freshman year when we played St. Mary’s at home to open the season. I think we won by seven goals (7-0) and there were a lot of fans surrounding the field, which was really fun.
What teammate would you most want riding shotgun on a cross-country road trip and why?
Alex Bowman because I know he’d have the best aux.
RILEY BUXELL
STILLWATER HIGH SCHOOL
What were the reasons you chose to come to Saint John’s?
After speaking to alums and current students, I quickly realized the incredible community and network the school cultivates. SJU has an immense history of providing opportunities for their graduates, and that has proved true throughout my years here, too.
What is something about you most people may not know?
I DJ on the weekends with my roommate Matthew.
ALEX BOWMAN
ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
All the lakes because I like to fish in my free time.
What teammate would you most want riding shotgun on a cross-country road trip and why?
I feel like it would be an entertaining car ride with Carter (Hermanson), Noah (Hermanson) and Connor (Drong).
NOAH
ACADEMY OF HOLY ANGELS
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as an athlete and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge as an athlete has been the surgery, sitting out and rehab after I tore my hamstring. I overcame it by putting in everything I had into getting back better than I was before.
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
Haws Field. I think it’s one of the most picturesque places on campus in the fall.
GROWING COMPANIES ENHANCING COMMUNITIES
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soccer in the sju j-club hall of honor
The Saint John’s University
J-Club Hall of Honor was established in 2018 as a way to pay lasting tribute to some of the greatest athletes in school history.
Legendary longtime head coaches
John Gagliardi and Jim Smith were honored as the first two inductees in separate ceremonies that year. The first full class was inducted in the fall of 2019, then, after a one-year pause brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the second full class was inducted in 2021. The third followed last year. So far, four individuals connected to the Johnnie soccer team have been enshrined. They are:
Pat Haws ’72 (inducted 2019) –Haws spent 32 seasons as SJU’s head soccer coach before retiring after the 2009 season with a record of 341-14050, making him the winningest college men’s soccer coach in Minnesota history. He built the program into a national power, making NAIA or NCAA Division III national tournament appearances in 1979, '80, '82, '86, '89, '90 and 2005. That included two trips to the national quarterfinals (1986 and '89). He also served as SJU’s longtime swimming and diving head coach.
Terry Leiendecker ’84 (inducted 2021) – A four-year starter in goal, Leiendecker allowed just 28 goals in nearly 6,000 minutes of play, which translated into 44 shutouts in 65 career starts. That included his junior season in 1982, when Leiendecker recorded 15 shutouts in 18 contests and earned All-American honors. His shutout percentage that season (0.833) still stands as an NCAA Division III record. He earned All-MIAC honors four times and his career
goals-against average of 0.431 remains in the top 15 in Division III history. His success earned him spots in two straight U.S. Olympic Festivals, which in turn led to his selection as a member of Team USA at the World University Games in Japan in 1984. He also went on to spend a season with the Minnesota Strikers of the North American Soccer League.
Mike Lilly ’78 (inducted 2022) – During his four seasons, Mike Lilly led the SJU soccer team to a record of 38-9-1, including an MIAC title and two NAIA
District 13 championships. A four-time AllMIAC and all-district selection, he was also named to the NAIA Area III All-America team as a senior in 1977. The Robbinsdale (Minn.) Armstrong High School graduate is still the Johnnies’ top goal-scorer with 62, including a single-season record 20 in 1976.
Patrick Lilly (inducted 2025) –Patrick Lilly, Mike’s younger brother, was the first soccer player in MIAC and SJU history to earn All-American honors – a feat he accomplished during the 1976 season when the Johnnies won an MIAC title and advanced to the second round of the NAIA national tournament before falling 5-0 to thenreigning national power Quincy (Illinois) College. He went on to twice earn AllMIAC and all-district honors as a junior in 1977 and again as a senior in 1978.