CSS men’s soccer gears up for MIAC foe St. John’s in season opener

The wait is nearly over for the College of St. Scholastica (CSS) men’s soccer team, who is under 48 hours away from their first fall match in nearly two years.

Their first opponent will be perennial powerhouse, new conference foe, St. John’s University. While it’s not the Saints’ official Minnesota Intercollegiate Conference (MIAC) opener, it will give them a taste of their new conference.

"I think it will be really good for the guys," CSS head coach Barry Chastey said at practice on Monday. "Obviously we’ve played a lot of the MIAC schools in the past, but some of these guys haven’t so they’ll get a good taste for it. We know what it’s like but it’s hard to explain that sometimes to the guys, so it’ll be really good."

In preparation for the Johnnies, CSS senior defenseman Taylor Tran said, "we’re looking to make a statement and we more want to focus on what we do and how we play, and worry less about what they do. We also want to go out there and set the tone for how we’re going to be in the MIAC."

The Saints will look to pickup their first win over the Johnnies since 1980 and first ever at home as the programs meet for the 16th time. Kickoff is Wednesday at 4pm at CSS.