St. John's Unwraps '22 Slate
COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. -- The St. John’s lacrosse team is preparing for a return to a loaded schedule, both in conference and out, for the spring of 2022.
As nearly all the MCLA dealt with restrictions on travel and competition in 2021, St. John’s was no exception, making the return to seemingly weekly battles with perennially top 25 ranked opponents even more daunting.
The Johnnies will have a more regional travel slate in the upcoming season, with trips planned to Missouri, Iowa and western North Dakota for tilts. However, the list of scheduled opponents includes talented squads from all over the country.
The roster for SJU includes a group of talents incoming players, but a big contribution will be expected from a senior class that includes a couple key offensive players rebounding from injuries in attackmen Ben Koesters and Quinn Marple.
“The injuries last year were really challenging for me as a player," said Koesters, who played his high school ball for Chisago Lakes. "Finding the drive to play through another injury while dealing with the pandemic was difficult,”
After noting the potential among the new players, he added: “I am exited to see where the road takes ups during my senior season.”
Marple was equally enthused and champing at the bit to get back into form on the field.
“I have high expectations for our team this year and I am excited I will be back to experience it," Marple said. "After coming off double ankle surgery, I am looking forward to making this year my best one yet while staying healthy throughout the season.”
Time will tell how the club will rebound after what can accurately be described as an unusual and, at times, frustrating 2021 campaign, but team morale is high, and the overall goal is always the same.
“Getting back to the National Tournament is a huge goal of mine for this season,” said Koesters, “I know it’s a big possibility for this team. I'm“looking forward to making one last all-out push for nationals.”
2022 St. John's Men's Lacrosse Schedule
| DATE | OPPONENT | TIME |
| Jan. 29 | MINN.-DULUTH # | 4:30 p.m. |
| Jan. 30 | CARTHAGE # | 9 a.m. |
| Feb. 12 | NORTHWESTERN # | 7 p.m. |
| Feb. 22 | UTAH STATE | 7 p.m. |
| Feb. 25 | vs. Washington (Mo.) % | 5:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 26 | at Missouri State | 3:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 27 | vs. Dayton % | 12:30 p.m. |
| March 4 | NORTH DAKOTA STATE * | 8 p.m. |
| March 5 | BRIDGEWATER STATE | 5 p.m. |
| March 19 | at Minn.-Duluth | TBD |
| March 25 | vs. St. Louis | 10 p.m. |
| March 26 | vs. Iowa State | 10:30 a.m. |
| March 27 | vs. Creighton | 12 p.m. |
| April 2 | MINN.-DULUTH | 7 p.m. |
| April 3 | GRAND VALLEY STATE | 1 p.m. |
| April 9 | vs. Montana | 4:30 p.m. |
| April 10 | vs. Montana State ^ | 10 a.m. |
| April 15 | at St. Thomas * | TBD |
| April 22-24 | UMLC Tournament | |
| May 9-14 | 2022 MCLA National Championships presented by New Balance | |
* - indicates UMLC West subdivision contest
# - indicates scrimmages
% - indicates contests at Missouri State
^ - indicates contests at Dickinson, N.D.