The Saint Louis University men’s soccer team took their first
step toward reaffirming their annual stronghold on Conference USA
Soccer with a 3-0 win at Marquette on Saturday night. The shutout
victory against the Golden Eagles marked the conference opener for
both teams. A pair of goals by John DiRaimondo paced the Billiken
attack. The Bills wasted no time getting acquainted the unfamiliar
scenery and managed to strike for the first time in the fourth
minute of the game. Midfielder Danny Wynn’s corner kick connected
with Brett Branan, who quickly flicked the ball to Will John, who
was free on the left post. The sophomore forward’s volley from six
yards rocketed past Marquette keeper Andy Kroll into the corner of
the net. John added an assist later in the game.

The tally gave John his fourth goal in only two games. John’s
blazing start was enough to earn him Conference USA’s Offensive
Player of the Week award for the week of Sept. 5. In only his
second season with the Bills, John has already earned this
distinction four times.

“It’s always beneficial when your top players come out of the
gate playing well and setting a high standard,” said Bills coach
Dan Donigan in a press release.

After John’s goal, both teams exchanged unsuccessful
opportunities until DiRaimondo netted his first goal at 68:10. Ryan
Wileman found fellow midfielder DiRaimondo streaking down the right
side, and the sophomore delivered from 10 yards out. DiRaimondo’s
breakaway goal at 85:52 ensured the Billikens were leaving
Milwaukee with a win.

Goalkeeper Pat Disbennett recorded four saves in his first
collegiate start. The freshman from Webster Groves denied Marquette
forward Chris Lee in the sixth minute and made a leaping stop on a
Golden Eagle’s shot in the 28th minute. Incumbent goalkeeper and
C-USA preseason all-conference selection Martin Hutton is still
recovering from abdominal surgery. It is unclear whether Hutton,
Disbennett or junior Jeff Sackman will be between the pipes this
weekend as SLU returns home to play host to the Saint Louis Nike
Classic at Robert R. Hermann Stadium.

The Nike Classic will welcome two formidable opponents for an
undefeated Billikens team currently ranked fourth in the National
Soccer Coaches of America Association poll. Friday night’s match
pits the Bills against Missouri Valley Conference power Southern
Methodist University. The Mustangs (1-1-0) were picked to win the
MVC title in a preseason coach’s poll and were ranked 12th
nationally in NCAA preseason rankings.

In game two of the weekend the Billikens face an equally
challenging opponent in the Virginia Cavaliers. Last year’s
Atlantic Coast Conference Champions return all 11 starters from a
team that advanced to the third round of the 2003 NCAA
Tournament.

The No. 23 ranked Cavaliers will enter the weekend with a 2-0
record before they play the University of Cincinnati on Friday
afternoon’s tournament opener. Last year, SLU captured a 3-2
overtime victory at Virginia to win the Cavalier’s tournament. The
two teams will play at 3 p.m. on Sunday.