Northern Illinois University made quick work of the Billikens on Saturday night, netting an early goal to take home a 1-0 win.
The game was played in St. Louis, at Robert R. Hermann Stadium.
Saint Louis University started the game quickly with an attack immediately following the opening kick-off.
John DiRaimondo launched a low shot from 25 yards out, but missed wide.
The only goal in the match came just 6:10 into the first half. NIU took advantage of a foul committed by Saint Louis defender Jason Vilmer with a well-executed set piece.
Northern Illinois midfielder Jose Alvarado sent the free kick sailing into the penalty area, where Steve Algozino flicked a header into the net from 14 yards away.
Algozino was left unmarked through the middle of the penalty area, and was able to send his header past SLU goalkeeper Pat Disbennett, who was still reacting to the incoming free kick.
The Huskies managed only two more shots on goal throughout the match, but managed to hold off the Bills.
Despite dominating the possession, the Bills suffered from an inability to create opportunities, especially through the middle and attacking thirds of the field.
“I thought we were slow,” coach Dan Donigan said of his team’s attack. “I was disappointed in our effort-disappointed in our execution. Overall, just disappointed. I know the ability and potential of our team, and our guys just haven’t [shown] that over the last couple of games.”
Though the Bills could not manage a goal, they did put up 13 shots, directing six of them on goal.
Dado Hamzagic carried the ball into the NIU penalty area in the 68th minute, but sent the ball across the goal mouth without any Bills in the vicinity to finish the play.
SLU had a final chance at tying the game with eight seconds remaining, when DiRaimondo swung a corner kick inward toward the net with Disbennett challenging, but NIU goalkeeper Steve Goletz punched the ball away to secure the Huskies win.
The Bills host the Michigan Wolverines Saturday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m., in the Homecoming game. SLU and Michigan have not played since 1962, when the Bills beat the Wolverines 2-1 in St. Louis.
Despite dropping their second consecutive match, SLU received good news last week.
The University announced on Monday that the Bills will host the 2006 College Cup.
The College Cup is the annual NCAA men’s soccer championships.
Three games will be played on Dec. 1 and 3, 2006, to determine the winner of the 64-team bracket.
This will be the first time in its history that SLU has hosted the College Cup.
However, the College Cup will be among 10 NCAA championships that will be hosted in St. Louis during this decade.
The 2005 College Cup will be hosted by Cary, N.C., at the SAS soccer stadium on Dec. 9 and 11.
The venue served as the home field for the Carolina Courage of WUSA until the league folded in 2003.
“We are extremely excited and honored to bring the 2006 College Cup to the Saint Louis University campus,” said athletic director Cheryl L. Levick.
“The NCAA really wanted to bring the college soccer back home, back to a college campus, and we can do that here, at the Robert R. Hermann Stadium,” she said.
“We think that we have the finest college soccer fans in the country here, and we really hope that, when four teams make their way to the field next December, one of them doesn’t have to go far,” said Provost Joe Weixlmann, Ph.D. “We’ll be ready.”
Donigan, who has both coached and played in three NCAA tournaments, hopes that serving as tournament hosts will help push his players to earn a berth in the College Cup finals.
“If anything, for the players in the back of the room, this is certainly an added motivation, a great motivation for us to get there next fall,” Donigan said. “But certainly it is a goal every year we set out with in the beginning.”
SLU has won an NCAA record 10 men’s soccer championships.
The Bills have also appeared in 42 NCAA tournaments in the 46- year history of the Billiken soccer program.
