The Saint Louis University men’s soccer team suffered their first loss of the season this past Sunday.

The Billikens could not repeat last year’s overtime victory over the Southern Methodist University Mustangs. They were defeated 3-2 in a hard-fought game that was decided in the waning moments under the blazing Sunday afternoon heat.

The SMU Mustangs avenged last year’s loss to SLU and handed the Billikens their first loss of the season. SLU’s record is now 2-1.

“There were several guys who didn’t perform well, and we still had a chance to win. When you play a tough schedule like we do, you’re going to lose a few games,” said coach Bob Warming.

The Billiken offense fired in two tough goals against an impressive SMU defense which contained the speed of the Billikens.

Junior midfielder Marty Tappel riffled a goal past the SMU goalie just before half.

Freshman forward Brad Davis tied things up at 2-2 with his goal in the 71st minute.

In the end, SMU came out on top of the Billikens, with the go ahead goal late in the second half.

The Billikens could not fend off the pesky offensive attack of SMU which was led by junior midfielder Mohamed Fahim and senior midfielder Matt Whiteley. Fahim punched in the first goal and Whiteley followed up with the second two, including the game winner, in the 87th minute of play.

SLU did notch a victory this past Friday, defeating the California Bears 3-0.

The Bill’s first goal came as junior transfer David Beck scampered through the box and was taken down.

The official allowed play to continue and the ball trickled past the goalkeeper to sophomore forward Nick Walls. Walls drove the ball into the back of the net.

In the second half, the Billikens continued to dominate play. Just as the second half began, freshman midfielder Andy Pusateri fed Beck. Beck juked the keeper and knocked the ball in.

Sophomore forward Jack Jewsbury picked up the third goal as he was taken down in the penalty box and awarded a penalty shot.

“Jack is the hardest-working center forward,” Warming said.

The Bills will get their chance to jump back into the win column this weekend at the Commodore Classic in Nashville, Tenn.

The Billikens continue their difficult non-conference schedule with games against two formidable East-Coast opponents.

SLU will face national powerhouse James Madison on Friday, Sept. 15, at 6 p.m.

The James Madison Dukes have one of the top 10 records in the 1990s, and they will bring a 3-0-1 record into their match up with the Billikens.

“They have one of the best winning percentages in the `90s,” Warming said.

“This might be the best team they have had in a while. They have a good team,” Warming said.

The last time the Billikens and James Madison played was in 1978. The Bills won 9-0.

The Billikens will then take on the Big Red of Cornell on Sunday at noon. The Big Red finished second last year in the Ivy League Conference.

This is the first meeting between the two teams. The Billikens hope to hand Cornell their first loss of the season.

Warming is confident that the Billikens will bounce back.

“We’ve got a great team and because we lose doesn’t mean that we’re no good,” Warming said.