St. John's women's soccer heads to Massachusetts on Monday to meet Boston College in a non-conference match at the Newton Soccer Complex, with kickoff set for 4:00 p.m. and the game streaming on ACCNX.
Season starts and immediate questions
Boston College comes into the match buoyed by a resounding 7-1 season-opening victory over Siena, while St. John's opened its campaign with a narrow 2-1 loss to UMass. The contrast in results sets up a tough assignment for the Red Storm, who will look to steady a squad that carried most of last season's roster into 2026.
The Eagles' win was notable for its breadth: seven different Boston College players scored and the victors outshot Siena 26-10, including a 14-3 advantage in the second half. Boston College's attacking depth was on display as four players—Nicolette Kiorpes, Tess Barrett, Anndi Wright and Addison Kalaw—netted their first collegiate goals in the same match, while Sophie Reale, Ashley Roberts and Emily Mara also scored.
What St. John's brings
St. John's returns 24 players from last season, including eight regular starters, giving the Red Storm continuity even as they search for sharper results early in the year. Nora Basile supplied St. John's lone goal in the opener against UMass, and Kayla Bower, a two-time team captain, returns in goal for her fifth season after starting all 17 matches last year.
That continuity is likely to be an asset, but facing a Boston College side that combined a variety of scorers with a high shot volume will be a challenge for a defence still finding its rhythm.
- Match: Boston College vs. St. John's (non-conference)
- Date/time: Monday, kickoff 4:00 p.m. (ET)
- Venue: Newton Soccer Complex
- Broadcast: ACCNX (stream)
Personnel and storylines to watch
Boston College has retained significant experience from last season, with 13 players who appeared in 14 or more matches returning and six who played in all 18 matches in 2025. The Eagles also feature returning attacking threat Sophie Reale, while goalkeeper Olivia Shippee—named one of three captains for 2026—brings back a strong single-season performance into the new campaign.
For St. John's, Bower's presence in goal and the return of a largely intact roster will be key. The Red Storm will aim to convert early chances into results after falling just short against UMass.
| Team | Opening match result | Notable contributors |
|---|---|---|
| Boston College | 7-1 vs. Siena | Seven different scorers; Reale, Dray (assists), new captains Shippee, Dray, Goldthwaite |
| St. John's | 2-1 loss to UMass | Nora Basile (goal); Kayla Bower returns in goal |
Locally, the match will matter to supporters who follow the Red Storm's progress through the non-conference slate as the team builds toward conference play. A positive result on Monday could arrest any early-season wobble and give coach and players confidence heading into a busy stretch; conversely, a heavy defeat would underline the work required to match up with teams that can spread scoring across the roster.
Kickoff at the Newton Soccer Complex is scheduled for 4 p.m., with coverage available through ACCNX for those following from St. John's and across Newfoundland and Labrador.
Expect a physical encounter and a test of depth: Boston College showed in its opener it can produce goals from many sources, while St. John's will trade on cohesion and the experience of veterans returning for the new season.
