On September 7, 1991 Drury played its first intercollegiate soccer match, as a member of the NAIA. Now a member of the NCAA-II and the Great Lakes Valley Conference, the Panther soccer program recently completed its 28th season. From the start of the 1997 campaign thru the 2004 season, the Drury soccer program competed at the NCAA-I level. During that 8-year period the soccer Panthers played at the highest level. It took many outstanding players to be competitive, but there is one player whose name is still sprinkled throughout the record books. And those records were set against NCAA-I programs. Still Drury’s all-time leader with career goals with 37, meet John Pedroli.
In addition to being the program’s all-time leader in career goals, John is ranked 8th in goals in a single season (12) and points in a single season (30). Those records came in the 2000 campaign when the Panthers had their best overall season at the NCAA-I level, finishing .500 with a 9-9 mark. Four of his 12 goals that season were game-winners. He was an impact player his freshman season (1999), playing in 19 of the Panthers’ 20 games and starting 17. His junior season (2001) he had two more game-winning goals, the first coming against Valparaiso University. The second game-winner of that year came against Drake University on the home field of Panther soccer: Hutchens Field. John’s late goal gave the Panthers a 2-1 victory over the Bulldogs. In his four years John played in 66 of the Panthers’ 73 games. He started 63.
The fact that John enjoyed great success and is still one of, if not the best offensive weapon in program history, came as no surprise to his prep coach, Mark Geising. “John was the greatest striker in the history of Lindbergh High School.” John graduated as the Flyers’ all-time record holder for goals in a season (40); goals in a varsity career (68); and, goals in a high school career (117). He was the leading scorer in the St. Louis area and was third in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch 1998 Player-of-the-Year voting. A five-year member of the prestigious Scott Gallagher Soccer Club, he led his high school to the 1997 state quarterfinals.
Then Panther head coach John Senkosky knew he had acquired a special talent. “John was one of the top players to come out of St. Louis, and he was recruited by everyone. He was the player we needed to compete against NCAA-I competition. When he committed to Drury I was very excited. A quick striker, he could score. He did a great job and was probably one of the most gifted forwards I had ever seen. He just had a knack for scoring goals. He was a fabulous striker and what a fun person to be around.” Senkosky closed, “This honor is well-deserved and my congratulations to John.”
Tom Hoff, John’s college roommate reflected back on John’s contributions to a team that battled the best in the nation. Hoff, who himself scored a game-winner vs. #4 nationally-ranked Davidson in 2001, also came to Drury from St. Louis. “I had a front row seat to John’s soccer career. We played together for years and I can still remember talking to him on the phone and making the decision together to go to Drury. John had that ‘intangible’ knack to score. He was never flashy, just a talented, gritty striker who we could always count on to get the job done. He was a guy you didn’t want to be looking across the field at, because you knew he was going wear you out. It’s no shock he has a scoring record that still stands to this day.” Tom concluded, “I would regret not mentioning John’s dad. Mr. Pedroli was a coach of mine and I knew him well. John, there is no person who would be more proud of you than your dad. Congratulations on your induction. You deserve it!”
John graduated from Drury on May 18, 2003, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Advertising and Public Relations. He earned his Masters in Communication on August 13, 2005. Now a sales consultant for Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits in St. Louis, he and his wife, Susan, have two children: Angelo and Avery. It has been 15 years since John has graced the Drury campus with his soccer skills. The memories and accomplishments of the NCAA-I era in soccer, through one of the program’s all-time greats, will now live forever. On this day, Saturday, December 1, 2018, the Drury Community, along with his mother (Karen), sister (Chrissy) teammates and fans, share in John Pedroli being forever enshrined as a member of the Drury Sports Hall of Fame (Class of 2018).
