The derailed train that was the Saint Louis University men’s soccer team has gotten back on track. Now a charging locomotive, the team is full steam ahead, and the rest of Conference USA and the NCAA should step off the tracks.
After starting the season with an 0-2-1 record, the Billikens rebounded with two home wins this weekend, in the annual Nike Classic.
Led by seniors Jason Cole, Mike Kirchoff and Jack Jewsbury, the team got a few much-needed notches in the win column.
Friday, the Billikens took on Southwest Missouri State in a match that was up to par with the intensity levels that these two teams exhibit when they face each other.
With the Bills dominating the whole first half, it looked like the team would put this one away earl., A few missed chances kept the game scoreless.
The Bears, however, were able to get to the scoreboard first, when SMS forward Jamal Sutton tapped in a pass from teammate Jed Hohlbein to give the Bears a 1-0 lead just before halftime.
In the second half, the Bills again dominated play but still came up empty on a few golden opportunities.
In the 72nd minute, however, SLU was able to capitalize on a free kick from just outside the box, as Kevin Wickart deflected a shot off an SMS defender, which found the back of the net.
With the scored knotted at 1-1, head coach Dan Donigan decided to move defender Jason Cole in order to spark the Bills and deflate the Bears.
“Pushing Jason forward made a major impact on the game,” Donigan said in a release. “Not only did he look to take advantage of his speed and aggressiveness, but he also affected all 11 players on the field.”
And affect he did. With 9.8 seconds left in regulation, Cole scored off a deflected shot to give the Bills a 2-1 lead, and ultimately their first win of the year.
“I’m just happy for our guys that all their hard work and patience paid off tonight with a win,” Donigan said. “We’re all relieved and feel as if a big burden has been lifted.”
Sunday the Billikens were looking to continue on winning, as they took on James Madison.
Coming into the tournament the Dukes were undefeated, but a loss Friday night to UC Santa Barbara (the only team the Billikens did not play in the tournament), lowered their record to 4-1.
The Bills again dominated early, just as they had versus SMS, and were able to score two goals within a minute of each other in the first half.
Forty-two seconds later the Bills struck again, as Jewsbury found junior Andy Pusateri, who delivered a beautiful centering pass to senior Mike Kirchoff.
Kirchoff knocked the ball into the net and gave SLU a 2-0 lead.
In the second half the Bills dominated again, but a mental lapse in the back led to a goal in the 76th minute.
JMU senior Andre Rutledge knocked home fellow teammate Ralph Lee’s centering pass to cut the SLU lead to one.
“We still need to eliminate the small mistakes that crop up defensively,” Donigan said in a release. “There were about four spots on the field where someone could have made a play that would have stopped James Madison’s goal.”
However, the Bills would go on to add one more goal, for good measure, in the 84th minute. Freshman Cooper McKee left a pass for Cole, who drove the ball into the net and gave him his second goal in two games.
“Moving Jason Cole up top seems to have energized him. His speed and aggressiveness has an impact on everyone on the field. He completely changed the complexion of the SMS game and was dangerous all afternoon against James Madison,” Donigan said in a release.
The Bills will next take on UAB (3-2-1) at Hermann Stadium for the Homecoming soccer game.
The matchup marks the first home conference matchup for the Billikens.
The Blazers come to St. Louis after wins over Navy and Western Kentucky in the Birmingham Southern Tournament last weekend.
After the Blazers, the Billikens will take on their second C-USA foe of the week when Charlotte comes to town for a Wednesday evening showdown.
As they continue to build momentum, the Saint Louis University soccer team looks to be back on the right track.
Their track is one that opponents probably will not want to be on.
