Midfielder Andrew Stuempfig celebrates his goal with his teammates. Stuempfig scored the first goal of the game for St. Thomas midway through the first period Tuesday evening against St. John’s. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Midfielder Walter Alvarado fends off a St. Johns opponent. Alvarado was unable to register a shot on goal against the Johnnies. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Forward Lucas Horton avoids stepping on a St. John’s opponent. St. Thomas had 14 fouls against the Johnnies. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Midfielder Andrew Stuempfig races a St. John’s defender for possession of the ball. Stuempfig attempted three shots and scored once in the first period of the game. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Forward Lucas Horton winds up for a shot on goal in the second period. St. John’s held the Tommies scoreless in the second half. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Midfielder Will Kidd looks on as his team battles. Kidd assisted a goal and attempted two shots in the game. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Forward Jack Longville fights through the St. John’s goalie for a shot attempt. The Tommies attempted nine shots against St. John’s. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Forward Lucas Horton attempts to shake off a defender near St. John’s goal. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Tommie midfielder Michael Kays dribbles the ball near the sideline. St. Thomas scored 2 goals in the first period against St. John’s Tuesday evening. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Defender Jack Barry celebrates his header goal alongside forward Jack Longville. Barry scored what would become the game-winning goal against St. John’s Tuesday evening. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
First-year defender Jack Barry has been a crucial member of the men’s soccer team’s defense, but his goal in the 45th minute of Tuesday’s home game against St. John’s was probably his most important contribution this season so far.
His team-leading fifth goal of the season, Barry’s score to close out the first half secured what would be the game-winning point for St. Thomas, helping the team escape with a 2-1 victory over its conference arch-rival.
“Jack’s a great insurance policy to have” coach Jon Lowery said. “Jack’s primary goal is to be a center back at this level, and today was his best performance by far.”
After giving up three goals in their loss to Macalester last weekend, the Tommies (3-1-1 MIAC, 7-2-1 overall) only allowed the Johnnies (3-2 MIAC, 6-2-1 overall) to score once in the second half.
“This was a Tommie-Johnnie game,” Lowery said. “After Macalester, we had to make a choice: Are we going to fight, or are we going to give in? What I saw today was a group that’s far from giving in.”
Tommie midfielder Andrew Stuempfig scored the first goal of the game in the 25th minute of play with an assist by midfielder Will Kidd.
“We find ways to win, and if that’s going to be we score off set pieces and it calls on me to score, then I’ll do my best to score,” Barry said. “We just have to keep on getting wins wherever we go.”
The Johnnies scored their lone goal in the 56th minute when midfielder Paul Wadsworth’s shot was deflected into the net, but were unable to score again.
The Tommies will travel to Northfield Saturday, Oct. 6 to take on the Carleton Knights (1-1-1 MIAC, 7-1-1 overall) .
Jacob Schneider can be reached at schn6923@stthomas.edu