The Saint Louis University men’s soccer team has won three tournaments this season. The Billikens have beaten the defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers and the defending national runner-ups, the Stanford Cardinal, in addition to defeating three ranked teams in those tourneys.
But none of those tournaments are as important, or as difficult, as the Conference USA tournament this weekend in Birmingham, Ala., which will be hosted by UAB.
“I think the big thing is we know there is no easy draw,” said men’s head coach Bob Warming. “No matter what team we play, it’ll be a tough game.”
The Billikens received a first-round bye in the tourney because they finished in second place in the conference behind UAB. In their second-round matchup, the Bills will take on either sixth-seeded Cincinnati or Marquette, which is the third seed.
In the other first round contest, fourth-seeded Louisville takes on South Florida, the fifth seed.
SLU knocked off Cincinnati 1-0 on Oct. 3 in Cincinnati.
Two weeks ago, SLU built a 3-1 lead only to see Marquette rally to tie it 3-3 in the second half. But Jason Mims rescued the Billikens with a goal seven minutes into the extra time.
Cincinnati is a big, physical team that likes to push the offensive players around in their defensive end.
Marquette showed it could move the ball with ease through the midfield against SLU in their last matchup.
If Warming’s team gets by its second-round opponent, it will most likely play UAB for the C-USA tournament championship.
But Warming throws the seedings out the window when it comes to the conference tournaments.
“I think they are all the teams to beat,” Warming said.
If SLU were to win the tournament, it would probably host at least two home games in the NCAA tournament.
Losing a game wouldn’t hurt the Billikens, but Warming doesn’t like dropping decisions at the end of the year.
“Screw up now and it could be your last (game),” Warming said.
The Bills didn’t harm themselves last weekend at California’s adidas Legacy Classic. SLU tied No. 25-ranked California 1-1 and blanked No. 17-ranked Stanford 2-0 to up their record to 15-2-2 for the season.
Warming was particularly happy with the performance against Stanford.
“(Stanford is) very composed, and has a very conservative style, and we shut them out,” Warming said. “To get two goals against them is an accomplishment.”
Everything is falling into place as the Bills begin their quest for their third C-USA tournament championship.
“Lots of rewarding things are going on right now,” Warming noted. “It’s at an emotional peak right now.”
The Billikens play their second-round game at 5 p.m. In the championship game, SLU would play at 1 p.m.
The Billikens find out who and where they’ll be playing in the NCAA tournament on Sunday night, the night of the selection show.
