One thing is for sure: The Saint Louis University men’s soccer team has a great amount of strength this season.
Last weekend, the team participated in the Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament, where they played Indiana, the defending national champion and consensus No. 1 team in America, as well as No. 17 Notre Dame, who served as host to the event.
The Billikens were certainly not intimidated by the Hoosiers, and proved they could compete with the best team in the country. In the 23rd minute, junior midfielder John DiRaimondo’s corner kick found senior midfielder Ryan Wileman, who headed the ball just past the goal line before a Hoosiers defender was able to clear the ball.
The linesman ruled that the shot was a goal, and the Billikens had a 1-0 lead at halftime against a team that had not allowed a goal all season.
“I think that the team played well because we played with confidence,” DiRaimondo said. “We were a little timid against Duke, and we went into the game against Indiana feeling like we had something to prove. I think that helped us to get really motivated to play.”
The Billikens had a golden opportunity to take a two-goal lead in the second half.
Senior Danny Wynn’s pass from the right endline-intended for any of the four Billikens near the net-was deflected. Indiana scored on a counterattack in the 52nd minute.
Each team had chances to win the game in regulation, but neither could put the ball in the net.
The game went to overtime, where each team once again had several chances go awry, and the game ended in a 1-1 tie.
“I wouldn’t say we took more satisfaction in tying Indiana, because I think everyone on our team realized that we could have won the game,” DiRaimondo said. “Obviously, we did take more satisfaction in tying the number one team in the country as opposed to an unranked opponent, but still I would not say that we felt like it was a victory.”
After a gutsy performance against Indiana, SLU met No. 17 Notre Dame just two days later.
The Fighting Irish took the offensive and fired a barrage of shots in the opening 10 minutes of the game.
The Billikens played tough defense, however, and the score was 0-0 at the half.
Freshman forward Kyle Patterson nearly gave SLU the lead in the first minute of the second half.
His first shot was blocked by the Notre Dame keeper, and his rebound hit off the post.
The Billikens had another ball carom off the post in 77th minute. Ryan Wileman’s shot from eight yards out hit the left post.
The score stood at 0-0 after regulation and the first overtime period.
In the second overtime period, however, Notre Dame’s Nate Norman crossed the ball to sophomore forward Joe Lapira, who headed the ball into the left corner from 10 yards out.
“I think fatigue probably did play a factor in the Notre Dame game, but Notre Dame also had to play two tough games in three days,” DiRaimondo said. “Several key players on our team were called on to play almost every minute, which was very tiring, but I think everyone did a great job fighting off fatigue.”
The Billikens (1-2-1) will travel to Dallas this weekend to play SMU on Friday and Tulsa on Saturday.
Although the weekend features quality competition, these games mark the first time SLU will not play a nationally ranked team since the season-opener.
“I wouldn’t really say it feels good that we haven’t beaten a ranked opponent yet,” DiRaimondo said. “I think the team feels that we have played good enough to win a couple of the past few games, but we haven’t been able to get a victory. This upcoming weekend will be another test for us playing two quality opponents, and hopefully the result will be in our favor.”
Next up for the men’s soccer team is the SMU Classic in Dallas, this weekend. The Billikens will face Southern Methodist University and Tulsa on Friday and Sunday, respectively.
