Even rain could not put out the fires on the field at Robert R. Hermann Stadium as the Saint Louis University men’s soccer team won a 2-1 scorcher Saturday night.
The Bearcats were the most recent team to be burned by the Billikens as they left St. Louis with their fifth loss of the season. Despite pouring rain and temperatures in the 40s, more than 2,000 fans still came out to see the team notch another victory.
If the first half were going to be any indication of what was to come, most fans would have packed up their umbrellas and headed for drier land.
In only the third minute of the game, the Bearcats got on the board first and took a 1-0 lead.
John Liersemann, a Cincinnati midfielder, was able to get a header past the Billikens and into the net off Tim Brown’s cross. The Billikens weren’t able to threaten much in the first half, as they only took two shots on goal since the wind was blowing against them.
“The weather was a huge factor. It was very windy, it was wet outside, but both teams had to fight through that,” Jason Cole said.
In the first half, it was the Bearcats who were able to fight through the weather better.
In the 74th minute, a bizarre play occurred. Cole went up for a header and the Bearcats keeper, Jason Adams, made an amazing save to keep his team on top 1-0.
After making the save and falling to the ground, Adams became entangled with a SLU player and as his frustration got the best of him, Adams punched the SLU player. Immediately, he was ejected and the Bearcats were forced to play a man down, which would prove to be a great help to the Billikens.
Less than 10 minutes later, the Bills were able to get on the board to tie the game as Joe Hammes, who moved up from his usual defensive spot to a forward position, headed a cross from Andy Pusateri into the net.
Jack Jewsbury, who was named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week this week, netted the game winner as he stopped a clearance attempt by the Bearcat defense and ripped a laser into the net.
The goal was Jewsbury’s fifth of the year, and the win vaulted the Bills into sole position of first place in C-USA.
The Bills will try to continue their hot streak and go for their 10th-straight victory, this Saturday in Tampa when they take on the University of South Florida (8-3-0, 3-2-0 C-USA).
Since USF is only one game behind the Bills in the conference standings, this will be an important game for the team.
In past meetings, the Bills have fared well against the Bulls in Tampa and lead the all-time series 22-4 with one tie.
“I know if we lose, we will be tied with them in conference. Obviously this is a big conference game. We are looking to play like we have the last nine games and we will get a win,” Jewsbury said.
After the South Florida stint, the Billikens will wrap up their two-game road swing at Texas Christian University Wednesday evening.
