The Saint Louis University men’s soccer team has been splitting like a shabby pair of pants as of late.
This past Friday, SLU lost 2-1 to James Madison, but bounced back against Cornell on Sunday with a 3-1 victory, putting their record at 3-2.
“We faced a tough, hard-nosed opponent in James Madison,” said head coach Bob Warming. “It’s going to happen sometimes.”
The normally sturdy Billiken defense allowed two goals and has allowed six in the past three games. Junior goalkeeper John Politis suffered his first loss of the season as he allowed two goals while making two saves.
The Bill’s lone goal was scored by freshman forward Andy Pusateri. Junior forward David Beck picked up a team-leading fourth assist on Pustateri’s goal
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“We came out flat and didn’t get in a rhythm,” said sophomore back Jason Cole. “By the time we did, it was too late.”
“They came out ready and we didn’t match their intensity,” said freshman midfielder Brad Davis.
SLU then had the task of facing the Ivy League runner up from last season, Cornell, on Sunday.
Freshman midfielder Brad Davis netted the Billikens’ first goal, his third of the season.
Sophomore midfielder Loren Reinhardt made his first start of the year and didn’t disappoint as he scored his first goal of the year.
Leading scorer, sophomore forward Jack Jewsbury, secured the Billiken victory as he notched his fifth goal of the season and picked up an assist.
“We came out mad, ready to play,” Davis said of the Billiken victory.
“We got together and came out on fire,” Cole said.
The Billikens now turn their attention toward rival Southwest Missouri State University. The Bears have been one of the premier teams in Division I soccer the past two seasons.
“They have lost two of their last 27. No one has a record like that,” Warming said.
“They’re a very athletic and hard-working team.”
“They are the kind of team that will test us,” Warming said.
“Their game is high pressure,” said sophomore forward Jon Ciminieri. “They are very athletic and strong.”
“It’s definitely going to be a physical game, back and forth” Cole said.
“They’re super fast and super athletic,” said sophomore Nick Walls. “We need to match their intensity physically.”
“You have to be quick, two touches and then get rid of it or their defense will be on you,” Ciminieri said.
Last season the Billikens played to a 1-1 draw against the Bears on campus at Robert R. Hermann Stadium.
The Bears are 5-1 this season and were ranked as high as No. 3 in the NSCAA poll before losing this past weekend to Brown.
“There’s pressure, but we’re confident we can play well,” Davis said.
“If we play our game, we’ll be fine,” Walls said.
The game could have post-season implications. The Billikens have fallen to fifth place in the region behind SMS, Creighton, Bradley, and SMU.
The selection committee for the NCAA tournament takes into consideration a team’s regional ranking. If the Billikens do not win this Saturday, their hopes for a post-season bid could be dashed.
