Last night, the Saint Louis University men’s soccer team lost to
the Southwest Missouri State University Bears, 2-1, in a game
played at Robert R. Hermann Stadium.
Each team struggled for control throughout the game, with the
Bears eventually ending up victorious. All of the scoring for both
squads came in the second half, with the Bears jumping on top about
half way through the half on a breakaway goal. The Bills answered
back with a solid header from new Billiken Brett Bramon off of a
John DiRaimondo corner kick.
But the tie only lasted about 10 minutes as the Bears weathered
a furious Billiken offensive and counter-attacked for the game
winning goal in the 84th minute.
The last time the Billikens played SMS, they managed a goal in
the 82nd minute by midfielder Cooper McKee to force a 1-1 tie.
The contest was the second of spring for the Bills, and, aside
from the score, it was a game that had a lot of positives taken
away from it.
The spring season is typically short, this game marking the
halfway point, and it is usually used for practical purposes, like
keeping the players in game shape and getting more players chances
to see some action.
And last night the Billikens were able to see exactly what a lot
of their younger players, who did not see a lot of action in the
fall, had to contribute.
This past Saturday, in their first exhibition match of the
season, the Bills shook out the cobwebs of the off-season as they
handily defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 5-1 in front of the home
crowd.
The Billikens quickly found themselves trailing when Wisconsin’s
Nick Vansicklen had his shot deflected off of a SLU defender and
past Saint Louis goalkeeper Martin Hutton in the fifth minute for a
1-0 lead.
Vansicklen’s goal, however, was all the Badger offense could
muster and all that the Billiken defense would allow.
Billiken defender Dan Guffey started the SLU scoring onslaught
in the 15th minute after he rebounded a shot by DiRaimondo that was
blocked, and kicked the ball into the right post.
Will John netted the game winner in the 28th minute on a 24-yard
chip that sailed just under the left crossbar to give SLU a 2-1
lead. John DiRaimondo’s first of two goals came on a penalty kick
in the 56th minute.
DiRaimondo scored ten minutes later from twenty yards out after
stealing the ball and completing a give-and-go with teammate Ryan
Wileman.
“I think the key to our success was that we gave a good team
effort. Everyone played well,” DiRaimondo said.
Billiken midfielder Patrick Garcia scored the final goal of the
game in the 87th minute. Garcia got a lead from forward Jack Jones
and scored from eight yards out.
The Billikens will take the Easter holiday off and will be back
in action on April 17 when they host the Bradley Braves.
Spring Season
Who: Bradley University Braves
When: April 17, 1 p.m.
Where: Robert R. Hermann Stadium
