ANOTHER MONSTER ROOKIE CLASS LOOKS TO MAKE ITS MARK AT SJU Page 15
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2026 JOHNNIES LOOK TO BUILD ON HUGE TURNAROUND LAST SEASON Page 1
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2026 SEASON PREVIEW Last season was an amazing start. Now head coach Tudor Flintham and the rest of the Saint John’s University soccer team are out to prove the best is yet to come. The Johnnies produced one of the best turnarounds in NCAA Division III a year ago, going from a 6-8-1 finish in 2024 to 13-5-3 record last fall. The 13 wins were the program’s most since 2014 (13-7-0). SJU tied for fifth in the conference with a 5-4-1 record and made its 14th appearance
percent (141 of 187) of their total points. Six of the 11 returning game-winning goals came from junior forward Ronan O’Connor (Woodbury, Minn./Hill-Murray), an All-Region and All-MIAC selection last season. The other five game-winners came from five different SJU players. The Johnnies’ 19-game schedule includes five against teams who reached the Division III Tournament last fall, nine nonconference matches and nine total contests in Collegeville.
in the MIAC Playoffs (established in 2003) and 11th in the last 13 seasons.
Here is a more in-depth look at the 2026 Johnnies:
The Johnnies were 40th in the NCAA’s National Power Index (NPI) prior to the 2025 national tournament selections. Denison (Ohio) was the final at-large qualifier to the NCAA Tournament at No. 31. The Johnnies were 39th in the final NPI following the national championship.
RONAN O'GOALS
Statistically, SJU led Division III in assists per game (3.48); was second in both corner kicks per game (7.52) and total assists (73); fourth in points per game (8.90); fifth in total points (187); and 14th scoring offense (2.71 GPG). The Johnnies now return 80.7 percent (46 of 57) of their goals scored last season, including 11 of 13 game-winners, and 75.4
A United Soccer Coaches All-Region IX third-team selection, O’Connor’s 20 goals in 2025 broke the program’s singleseason record, which had previously been set in 1974 (19 by Ken Potts ’74). His 50 points finished second behind Potts’ 56 in ’74. O’Connor finished second in Division III in total points; fourth in goals; fifth in game-winning goals and points per game (2.43); and seventh in both assists (10) and goals per game (0.95). He played and started in all 10 MIAC games, tying for second in the league in points (17), fourth in goals (6) and fifth in assists (5) in conference play. His seven points (3g/1a) at Saint Mary’s on Oct. 28 were tied for first in a single game this season. He was also one of five players to net a hat trick in league play and was selected as the MIAC Offensive Player of the Week three times. O’Connor has 64 points (26g/12a) in two seasons and is tied with Michael Coborn ’14 for fifth in program history in goals, while his 64 points are tied with Andy Witchger ’05 and Joe Schmidt ’04 for seventh.
SOLID FRESHMEN
O’CONNOR 2026
SJU Soccer
Eight Johnnie sophomores recorded four points or more as freshmen last fall. Forward Lisle Cherwien (Mound, Minn./Orono) led the group with 15 points and five goals in 19 games (15 starts), which were both good for second on the team. Fellow forward Axel Martin (Lakeville, Minn./Rosemount)
was right behind him in third in both points (12) and goals (4) in 16 matches (14 starts), and midfielder Eli Ryan (Victoria, Minn./ Minnetonka) registered 11 points (3g/5a) in 19 games (17 starts). Ryan scored a goal in each of the Johnnies’ final two games. Midfielder Carter Gellner (Chaska, Minn./Chanhassen) came off the bench for 18 games and totaled nine points (2g/5a) and defender Drew Ripp found the net twice in 13 games as a reserve. Midfielder Olin Franzwa (St. Paul, Minn./Woodbury) registered four points (1g/2a) in 19 games (16 starts). On the back line, Gabe Franzman (Bettendorf, Iowa) posted five points (2g/1a) in 17 games (11 starts), while James Torguson (Shakopee, Minn.) joined O’Connor as the other Johnnie to start all 21 games and tallied six points (1g/4a).
ERTEL
HANSON
NETMINDERS SJU returns two of its main goalkeepers as sophomores in 2026. Austin Ertel (Brownsburg, Ind./Lawrence Central) started eight games (11 appearances) and posted a 5-2-1 record with a 1.19 GAA and a .783 save percentage (36 saves), while Cole Hanson (Urbandale, Iowa) went 8-3-1 with a 1.16 GAA and an .813 save percentage (61 saves) over 13 starts (14 games). Hanson started the Johnnies’ last nine games in net and tallied a 6-2-1 record with a 1.03 GAA. Another sophomore, Alex Keekley (St. Louis Park, Minn./Minnetonka), transferred to SJU from St. Olaf after making three scoreless appearances, totaling 52:30 in net, last fall.
1
CHAMPIONS
ON THE FIELD
CHAMPIONS
IN LOGISTICS
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2026 SEASON PREVIEW CONTINUED... Macalester, which won the MIAC playoff title and finished with a 17-5 record. The lone match away from the friendly confines of Haws Field is a neutral-site showdown with Colorado College at night Sept. 26 at Division I Creighton’s Michael G. Morrison, S.J., Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska. The Tigers posted a 12-1-6 record last fall.
O’LEARY YEAR-TWO JUNIORS Two juniors, who made their soccer debuts last season, return. A transfer from MIAC-foe Gustavus Adolphus, forward Micah O’Leary (Phoenix, Ariz./ Casa Grande) had seven points (3g/1a) in 13 games off the bench and defender Thomas Theising (Minneapoli./Wayzata) totaled five points (1g/3a) in 19 games (11 starts) after spending Fall 2024 on the SJU football team. Four (1g/2a) of Theising’s five points came in SJU’s final four games.
THE 2026 SCHEDULE The Johnnies start the 2026 season with an eventful week of five games in eight days. St. Norbert (Wis.) visits Haws Field for the Sept. 1 opener, followed by two road matches at a pair of Upper Midwest
THEISING Athletic Conference (UMAC) opponents, Minnesota-Morris (Sept. 4) and Crown (Sept. 5). SJU wraps up Labor Day weekend by dedicating its new scoreboard on Sept. 6 vs. Coe (Iowa) and returns to the road for two more trips to UMAC schools Bethany Lutheran (Sept. 8) and Wisconsin-Superior (Sept. 12). UWS reached the NCAA Tournament by winning the UMAC playoffs and finished with a 16-7 record last fall. SJU’s conference opener Sept. 15 at Bethel serves as the precursor to a six-game stretch that includes five in Collegeville: Gustavus Adolphus (Sept. 19), North Central (Sept. 22), Saint Mary’s (Sept. 30), No. 13 Macalester (Oct. 3) and Hamline (Oct. 6). Gustavus was an NCAA Tournament team with a 14-6-1 record last season and was joined in the national tournament by
SJU visits No. 8 Augsburg Oct. 10 in a rematch of last year’s MIAC-quarterfinal win in Minneapolis and hosts Wisconsin-River Falls Oct. 14 for the final nonconference game. The Johnnies served as two of the Auggies’ three losses last season (18-3-3 record) en route to the NCAA Tournament. SJU heads northwest to Concordia Oct. 17 and to No. 3 St. Olaf, the 2025 MIAC regularseason champion and an NCAA Tournament team with a 20-3-3 record, on Oct. 21. Carleton wraps up the Johnnies’ home schedule Oct. 24 and the regular season ends on Halloween at St. Scholastica.
MIAC PLAYOFFS The first round of the six-team MIAC Playoffs is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 2, and the MIAC semifinals follow on Thursday, Nov. 5. The MIAC championship game, with the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament on the line, is set for Saturday, Nov. 7. The high seed hosts in all three rounds.
2026 soccer schedule SEP 1
VS.
SEP 4 @ SEP 5 @ SEP 6 VS. SEP 8 @ SEP 12 @ SEP 15 @ 2026
ST. NORBERT
GREEN KNIGHTS MINNESOTA-MORRIS
COUGARS CROWN
POLARS COE
KOHAWKS BETHANY LUTHERAN
VIKINGS UW-SUPERIOR
YELLOWJACKETS BETHEL
ROYALS SJU Soccer
SEP 19 VS. SEP 22 VS. SEP 26 VS. SEP 30 VS. OCT 3 VS. OCT 6 VS. OCT 10 @
GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS
GUSTIES NORTH CENTRAL
RAMS
COLORADO COLLEGE
TIGERS SAINT MARY’S
CARDINALS MACALESTER
SCOTS
OCT 14 VS. OCT 17 @ OCT 21 @ OCT 24 VS. OCT 31 @
UW-RIVER FALLS
FALCONS CONCORDIA
COBBERS ST. OLAF
OLES CARLETON
KNIGHTS ST. SCHOLASTICA
SAINTS
HAMLINE
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COACHING STAFF 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 ʼ05. 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.
TUDOR FLINTHAM HEAD COACH SECOND SEASON AS HEAD COACH
Tudor Flintham’s homecoming has already been a smashing success. The 2006 Saint John’s University graduate, who returned to his alma mater to take over as the Johnnies’ director of soccer/ head coach in December 2024, led the program to a 13-5-3 finish in his first season a year ago. That included a thrilling 2-1 road win over Augsburg – ranked No. 6 nationally at the time – in the MIAC quarterfinals. SJU played two men down for the game’s final 15:08 yet still managed to emerge victorious. But success is nothing new for Flintham, who previously served as the head men’s soccer coach at Gustavus for seven seasons, leading the Gusties to a 92-20-18 record
The Norwich, England, native then served as associate head coach at SJU from 2010 to ʼ14, and as an assistant coach at the College of Saint Benedict from 2012 to ʼ14. The Johnnies went 46-34-11 (28-16-6 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 regular-season and playoff titles and advancing to the NCAA Division III Tournament in 2013. 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 those 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. “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.”
Assistant Coaches and Support Staff
Kevin Lebahn ʼ16..........................Second Season
Ross MacMullan ............................ First Season
Certified Athletic Trainer: Lindsay Voigt
Jason Anhorn ............................... Third Season
Student Assistant Coach: Jonathan Rinaldo
Owen Johnson ............................... First Season
Student Manager: Simon Willets
2026
SJU Soccer
5
TOGETHER UNITED WITH MNUFC CSB+SJU are again teamed up with Minnesota United FC this season. 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 well over 19,000 fans per home game during the 2025 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 when the United plays host to Houston on Oct. 10. “During the first two years of our 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.
2026
SJU Soccer
“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 1998 CSB graduate, joined the organization in 2022, and is the chief administrative officer. • Bryant Pfeiffer, a 1994 SJU graduate, has been with Minnesota United for more than 10 years and is now the team’s executive vice president, chief revenue officer. • Julia Deyak, a 2021 CSB graduate, is the team's new manager of group sales.
• 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 largest 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.”
• 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.
7
legacy of success
9 MIAC REGULARSEASON TITLES
1968, 1976, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 2006
14 MIAC PLAYOFF APPEARANCES
2003, 2005, 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025
10 NATIONAL TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES 1974, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1989, 1990, 2005
3 ALL-AMERICANS
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
8
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AWARDS & RECOGNITION All-MIAC First Team
JOHN STEVENS
F
SCOTT SWEDAL
B
1974 MIKE LILLY
F
1975 MIKE LILLY
M
1987 JOHN BOYD
1976 MIKE LILLY
F
RYAN LOGAN
2004 TYLER BOSCH
F/M
Academic All-District
THORALF KNOLL
D
2002 MIKE RUTTER
M
F
ANDY WITCHGER
F/M
2005 BEN PASSE
M
B
2005 TUDOR FLINTHAM
F
2006 JASON DALY
D
MARK COTE
M
JOHN STEVENS
F
TYLER KODET
F
BEN PASSE
M
STEVE WESTLUND
FB
1988 STEVE BENNETT
M
2006 TYLER KODET
F
2007 CAM CHRISTENSEN
F
JOHN WARREN
GK
JOHN BOYD*
F
BRYAN MILLS
D
JASON DALY
D
1977 MIKE LILLY
F
MIKE OELRICH
D
BEN PASSE
M
2008 CAM CHRISTENSEN
M
PAT LILLY
M
JOHN STEVENS
M
2007 JASON DALY
D
JASON DALY
D
TIM RUTKA
F
1989 GARY BISCHEL
GK
D
2010 RYAN FUCHS
D
JOHN MCHALE
HB
GEORGE FEHRENBACH F
2008 JASON DALY
D
2013 JOE BALDER
D
M
MIKE OELRICH*
LEVI LOWELL
F
2015 DYLAN LEHRER
D
1978 PAT LILLY
D
TIM RUTKA
F
KURT ROEMER
M
1979 JOHN CELLA
FB
1990 GARY BISCHEL
GK
D
ALEX NIEDERLOH
M
2009 COLIN HALL
CHRIS SCHULTZ
M
PAUL WAGEMAN
F
DAVE CLARK
FB
GEORGE FEHRENBACH F
2010 MICHAEL COBORN
M
2016 DYLAN LEHRER
D
TIM FREDERICK
GK
DERRICK LANCE
D
2011
MICHAEL COBORN
M
2021 AIDAN BECKEN
D
SULAYMAN N’JIE
HB
MIKE FAHEY
GK
2012 MICHAEL COBORN
M
2022 CAVIN ALLEN
D
M
IAN SCUDDER
F
1991
JIM PHELPS
F
BRENT JOHNSON
MATT D. ANDERSON
M
PAUL SCHOEN
HB
DERRICK LANCE
D
2013 MICHAEL COBORN
M
AIDAN BECKEN
D
D
1992 DAVE CLEMENTS
M
DAVID WEE
F
DREW ENGEL
M
TERRY LEIENDECKER GK
BRYAN DIELEMAN
M
2014 ROCKY HARMON
M
EVAN SIEFKEN
GK
JIM PHELPS
F
BRENT JOHNSON
M
ZANE HEINSELMAN
F
JACK SIMONET
M
MIKE TIERNEY
M
1993 DAVE CLEMENTS
D
ALEX NIEDERLOH
M
2023 MATT D. ANDERSON
M
M
BILL VANCE
F
NOAH HERMANSON
D
1994 CHRIS FOREMAN
GK
ALEX NIEDERLOH
M
M
PAUL WAGEMAN
F
1995 GAGE DENNISON ERIC ROSS
1980 DAVE CLARK
1981
CHRIS SCHULTZ
JEFF GRAEN
TERRY LEIENDECKER GK DAVE RYMANOWSKI
D
ERIC ROSS
JOHN TRACY
F
NABIL GHARIB
1982 JEFF GRAEN
M
TERRY LEIENDECKER GK
1996 NABIL GHARIB
2015 KEVIN LEBAHN
GK
2024 FOSTER CONLIN
D
F
EVAN SIEFKEN
GK
2016 ZACK BOERJAN
F
2025 ALEX BOWMAN
F
D
JUSTIN DUQUE
D
FOSTER CONLIN
D
M
ROCKY HARMON
F
F
2017 ZACK BOERJAN
M
Academic All-Americans
TIM LEONARD
D
SULAYMAN N’JIE
F
DAVE RYMANOWSKI
D
1997 ROSS GOLLA
F
2018 LEIGHTON LOMMEL
M
2015 PAUL WAGEMAN
F
JOHN TRACY
F
1999 KEVIN KOHNEN
GK
2019 KAGAN FOSTER
F
2016 DYLAN LEHRER
D
1983 TIM COUGHLIN JEFF GRAEN
F M
ERIC ROSS
NICK WESSINGER 2000 ROSS GOLLA
M
DANIEL BRUCKBAUER M
LEIGHTON LOMMEL
M
2021 AIDAN BECKEN
D
M
2021 MATT D. ANDERSON
M
2022 AIDAN BECKEN
D
KEVIN KOHNEN
GK
2022 EVAN SIEFKEN
GK
DAN LILLY
D
MIKE RUTTER
M
2023 MATT D. ANDERSON
M
SULAYMAN N’JIE PAUL ROCHEFORD 1985 RYAN LOGAN TIM ZITUR 1986 JOHN BOYD*
2026
SJU Soccer
F
2001 MIKE RUTTER
M
EVAN SIEFKEN
GK
D
JOE SCHMIDT
F
2024 EVAN SIEFKEN
GK
2025 FOSTER CONLIN
D
F
2002 TYLER BOSCH
F
M
MIKE RUTTER
M
RONAN O’CONNOR
D
2003 JOE SCHMIDT
F
*MIAC MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
F
ANDY WITCHGER
M
M
TERRY LEIENDECKER GK
1984 MIKE LYNN
2006 BEN PASSE
F
F
BECKEN
11
RECORDS 4. 26 TYLER BOSCH
Goals INDIVIDUAL GAME 1. 7 MIKE LILLY
26 ANDY WITCHGER 6. 25 MIKE RUTTER
2001-04 2001-04 1999-02
VS. SAINT MARY’S
OCT. 30, 1976
INDIVIDUAL SEASON 1. 20 RONAN O’CONNOR
2025
2. 19
KEN POTTS
1974
3. 14
JIM PHELPS
1979
4. 12
JOHN BOYD
1988
12
JIM PHELPS
1980
INDIVIDUAL CAREER 1. 124+ MIKE LILLY
1974-77
KAGAN FOSTER
2019
2. 93 JOHN BOYD
1985-88
11
TUDOR FLINTHAM
2005
3. 88 MICHAEL COBORN
2010-13
11
TYLER KODET
2005
4. 86 TYLER BOSCH
2001-04
11
TYLER BOSCH
2004
5. 75
1978-81
11
ERIC ROSS
1994
11
JOHN BOYD
1986
6. 11
INDIVIDUAL CAREER 1. 62 MIKE LILLY
8. 24 NABIL GHARIB
1974-77 1985-88
3. 30 TYLER BOSCH
2001-04
30 JIM PHELPS
1978-81
5. 26 RONAN O’CONNOR
2024-P
26 MICHAEL COBORN
1993-96 2005-08
22 JOHN TRACY
1979-82
Assists INDIVIDUAL SEASON 1. 18 KEN POTTS
1974
2. 15
1982
3. 14
JIM PHELPS
1980
4. 12
MICHAEL COBORN
2012
ANDY WITCHGER
2003
11
NABIL GHARIB
1994
11
BRYAN DIELEMAN
1991
8. 10
MICHAEL COBORN
2011
10
TUDOR FLINTHAM
2005
10
ERIC ROSS
1996
10
PAUL MARKSON
1991
INDIVIDUAL CAREER 1. 36 MICHAEL COBORN
1997-00
ROSS
INDIVIDUAL GAME 1. 14 MIKE LILLY VS. SAINT MARY’S
BOSCH
JIM PHELPS
6. 70 NABIL GHARIB
1993-96
7. 64 ANDY WITCHGER
2001-04
64 JOE SCHMIDT
2000-03
64 RONAN O’CONNOR OCT. 30, 1976
2024-
10. 63 MIKE RUTTER
1999-02
63 ERIC ROSS
1993-96
2010-13
9. 22 TYLER KODET
5. 11
10. 22 ROSS GOLLA
1993-96 1980-83
2000-03
8. 23 NABIL GHARIB
SULAYMAN N’JIE
24 SULAYMAN N’JIE
1986-88
Points
2. 38 JOHN BOYD
7. 24 JOE SCHMIDT
25 JOHN STEVENS
2010-13
2. 29 ERIC ROSS
1993-96
3. 27
BRYAN DIELEMAN
1989-92
12
GoJohnnies.com
FLINTHAM SIEFKEN
INDIVIDUAL SEASON 1. 56 KEN POTTS
1974
2. 50 RONAN O’CONNOR
2025
3. 38 JIM PHELPS
1980
4. 32 TUDOR FLINTHAM
2005
3. 60 KEVIN LEBAHN
5. 31
ERIC ROSS
1994
4. 57
BRYAN DIELEMAN
1991
5. 43 MATT SUNDBERG
31
7. 30 MICHAEL COBORN
2011
8. 29 JOHN BOYD
1988
29 SULAYMAN N’JIE
1982
10. 28 TYLER BOSCH
2004
28 NABIL GHARIB
1994
12. 27
JOHN BOYD
1986
27
JOHN STEVENS
1986
27
JIM PHELPS
1979
Goalkeeping
INDIVIDUAL CAREER GAMES 1. 65 EVAN SIEFKEN
2021-24
65 TERRY LEIENDECKER
1980-83
KEVIN KOHNEN
2012-15 1997-00 2004-07
INDIVIDUAL CAREER GAA (MIN. 10 GAMES) 1. .43 TERRY LEIENDECKER 1980-83 2. .58 DICK KROETEN
1986-88
3. .71 JEREMY SCHROEDER
1991-94
4. .80 MATT SUNDBERG
2004-07
5. .80 GARY BISCHEL
1988-91
Goalkeeper Shutouts INDIVIDUAL SEASON 1. 15 TERRY LEIENDECKER
1982
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ANOTHER MONSTER ROOKIE CLASS
by SJU coaching staff
2025 was a breakout year for the new Johnnie era, but it’s time to look forward and level up. Those paying close attention to Johnnie soccer know we entered our spring season without a single junior or senior in the program – a unique situation and an incredible opportunity for a talented young team looking to grow and lead together. But that also obviously meant we needed to add quality in numbers, and the staff did just that – adding 19 rookies and two transfers to the 2026 roster. The group includes Taylor Petrich and Alex Keekley who joined us last spring from Drake and St. Olaf, respectively. Both add significant talent and experience.
Ethan Brown and Grady Monette, who are very well-known Minnesota players – the best guys on their high school teams and I think the top attacking players on their ECNL sides also. Less people will be shocked if they have breakout seasons.”
BENSON
“There are also guys like Andrew Panner coming from Shattuck St. Mary’s MLSnext, Aidan Buckneberg from Sporting BlueValley MLSnext or Laird Holden, fresh off a hat trick in the Iowa State Championship game,” Flintham continued. “These guys are sometimes a little less visible in outside soccer markets. But trust us, they are ballers!
MONETTE
Some of the guys I mentioned, and for sure some I haven’t, will be big-time players for us this fall and beyond.” A special shoutout to John Krebsbach, who acted again as our Alumni Recruiting Liaison for this class, and also to all you Johnnies out there continuing to spread the word about how unique and incredible of a place SJU is. It matters, and our alumni continue to set the standard.
“I’m doing an injustice here not mentioning other names, but you’ll just have to come watch and see for yourselves.
They are joined by a group of true first-year players that head coach Tudor Flintham has labeled “one of the deepest and most complete classes I’ve recruited.” “They still have a lot to learn and need to both develop and match our expectations, but I have done this for a while and there’s for sure a special team building here,” he added. The group includes four players with MLS Academy experience and 13 players coming from the region’s top ECNL teams (Elite Club National League). Additionally, 10 of our rookie group spent the summer on UPSL sides, lifting conference and MN Cup trophies with St. Croix Legends, MPLS City II and Blackhawks UPSL.
KEEKLEY
The ones to watch according to Flintham: “Honestly, it’s so hard to pinpoint individuals at this stage because there are always guys who massively surprise,” he said. “For instance, Soren Benson probably isn’t a name everyone has heard of, but I’ve been watching him for a few years now and the lad has absolutely crushed his summer prep and opened some eyes with his UPSL side in St Cloud. “Then there are more obvious ones like
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SJU Soccer
PETRICH
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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
CAMP NOU, BARCELONA
NÎMES, FRANCE
RIO, BRAZIL
PANTHEON, ITALY
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January 2007
Ireland
August 2013
Spain/France/Monaco
January 2017
Spain/France
January 2020
Italy
January 2023
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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as miac champions
1969 HEAD COACH: ABEL LAGUNA
1979 HEAD COACH: PAT HAWS
1983 HEAD COACH: PAT HAWS
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1976 HEAD COACH: MATT SIKICK
1982 HEAD COACH: PAT HAWS
1986 HEAD COACH: PAT HAWS
1988 HEAD COACH: PAT HAWS
2005 HEAD COACH: PAT HAWS *PLAYOFF CHAMPION
1989 HEAD COACH: PAT HAWS
2006 HEAD COACH: PAT HAWS
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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 a part of the path you and your teammates will walk together as you each make your unique True North Journey.
Are you ready to compete as a Bennie or a Johnnie? Come take a closer look – schedule a campus visit today!
2025 SEASON IN PICTURES
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Soccer Facilities
HAWS FIELD
place to staff them is just as critical.
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.
Luckily, Saint John’s University has both.
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.
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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 soccer and 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
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 from which to draw in Justin Rost, who has been the head strength and conditioning coach and assistant athletic trainer in Collegeville since 2013.
Heal today. DOMINATE TOMORROW. The Power of Physical Therapy.
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a sense of connection Having the chance to get in on something special at the start.
Augsburg – ranked No. 6 nationally in Division III – in the MIAC playoffs.
“It’s just another example of the kind of support that’s available to students here.”
That, as much as anything else, is what convinced Gabe Franzman that Saint John’s University was the right fit for him.
But, just as importantly, the global business leadership major said he discovered a supportive community determined to help him thrive both on and off the field.
Flintham said having players like Franzman in the fold is a critical part of the foundation he and the coaching staff are trying to put in place.
“You hear it all the time, but it’s true,” he said. “People really want you to succeed here. From your professors to your classmates, everyone is willing to go the extra mile. I came in not knowing anybody on campus, and right away, I made so many connections. Saint John’s has a great reputation for a reason. There are so many good people on this campus.
“Gabe has been a great addition to the program,” Flintham said. “He got thrown into the deep end as a freshman and that can be hard. However, he quickly showed he belonged at this level and helped us win some big games. In particular, his regular-season performance against Augsburg was massive for us.
A four-year starter and two-time allconference pick at Bettendorf (Iowa) High School, Franzman drew plenty of recruiting interest from schools closer to home. But the sophomore defender liked what he heard from Johnnies head coach Tudor Flintham, who took over the program prior to last season. “I knew he built a really good program (when he was the head coach) at Gustavus, and once I found out he was moving to Saint John’s, I knew I had to visit,” said Franzman, who started 11 games in his first season a year ago. “I ended up falling in love with the place.
“I’ve had such a great experience so far.”
“I really wanted to be here at the beginning of the journey to where I know this program is heading.” Indeed, Franzman and the Johnnies finished 135-3 last season, including a 2-1 upset over
Those traits were also on display this summer when Franzman worked with kids ages 6 through 12 at a camp held at the TBK Bank Sports Complex in his hometown. Franzman said scholarships played a huge role in making that experience possible. He currently receives an academic achievement scholarship, an alumni referral scholarship, the Voyager Scholarship and the Mark Schueller Scholarship. “That’s helped so much,” said Franzman, one of three siblings – all of whom are currently enrolled in college. “It’s allowed me to come to a liberal arts school the caliber of Saint John’s, and to do it at an affordable price.
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“He’s a quiet lad who leads through actions more than dictating or yelling. But he’s certainly someone I’d describe as a doer. He’s become a leader in the gym and a popular member of the squad because he’s invested and treats people right.”
“It was a lot of fun,” he said. “We played different games every day – soccer, bowling, things like that. It gave me a better understanding of how I want to raise kids one day and the way I want them to treat other people.” But now Franzman is focused on leading the Johnnies to continued success this fall. “We really came together and made a lot of strides as last season went along,” he said. “We ended up peaking at just the right time, and hopefully that gives us something to build on this season.”
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captain spotlight TAYLOR
PETRICH M
RONAN
O’CONNOR
So.
HILL-MURRAY HIGH SCHOOL What made you decide to play soccer collegiately? I wanted to push my body physically on the field while furthering my education. Being on any sports team also allows you to create so many more lifelong relationships.
What is a moment or period of time in your life that has helped shape you as a person? Before I transferred to SJU, I played soccer at Drake University. Going to a Division I program was exciting coming out of high school. I knew the standards were going to be super high. Soccer didn’t work out (for me) there because of a mix of a lot of things, but getting injured the first day of practice my freshman year sticks out as a lowlight. Working all summer to get in shape only to (suffer an injury) that nagged me throughout that season sucked a lot. Working through that, and eventually making the decision to move on from all the great people I met at Drake, was tough. It really changed my outlook when it comes to how I approach not just soccer, but any commitments I make in general. Looking back, though, I definitely made the right decision coming to SJU.
F
Jr.
HILL-MURRAY HIGH SCHOOL Who are some of the people on campus who have had the biggest impact on you during your time at SJU? (Accounting professor Warren) “Boz” (Bostrom, who passed away in 2025) was always a big inspiration to me. I had him my first semester freshman year and I was really touched by the way he made an effort to get to know me and my family personally. He would go out of his way to attend soccer games.
ELI
RYAN M
MINNETONKA HIGH SCHOOL How have you grown during your time so far on campus? I believe in my time on campus I’ve grown by better balancing my academics and athletics and learning how to take on more of a leadership role.
What is your major and why did you pick it? I’m studying finance because I’ve always been interested in working with numbers and how businesses operate.
Which of your teammates would you go to if you needed advice on something?
Which of your teammates would you want with you if you were trapped on a deserted island?
My fellow captain (and high school classmate) Taylor Petrich.
(Fellow sophomore) Carter Gellner because we would lock in and find a way off the island.
What do you like best about competing at the Division III level? The ability to balance and succeed in your academics, social life and athletics.
What is your favorite song and why? One song I have been listening to a lot recently is “Reeling in the Years” by Steely Dan. It has a great message – “reel in the years” and enjoy every moment with the people you love because time flies by faster than you think. This has been especially true with my summers. They always go by so fast. Sometimes I need to stop for a second and take it all in.
RYAN
O’CONNOR
PETRICH
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So.
PETRICH & O’CONNOR
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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. This year’s class of inductees will be enshrined during a dinner and ceremony on Oct. 17. 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 P. HAWS 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, ʼ80, ʼ82, ʼ86, ʼ89, ʼ90 and 2005. That included two trips to the national quarterfinals (1986 and ʼ89). 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
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T. LEIENDECKER
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 M. LILLY 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 P. LILLY 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.
M. LILY AND P. LILY
Bennie & Johnnie Spirit Starts Here READY FOR GAME DAY?
Whether you’re at the game, hosting the tailgate, or cheering from your backyard, show your CSB+SJU pride with these Spirit Shop favorites.
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