On Saturday, Oct. 1, 2005, the Billikens men’s soccer team took on the Michigan Wolverines at Robert R. Hermann Stadium for Saint Louis University’s annual Homecoming game.
The Billikens ended their two-game losing streak and put on an impressive performance for their 4,398 fans.
After falling into a bit of a rut in the last few games, the Billikens came out on top against Michigan, showing an improvement on offense.
“I think we have definitely been struggling going forward in the last few games, but we have really concentrated on it in training lately, and it paid off on Saturday,” said junior midfielder John DiRaimondo.
The Billikens opened up play in the first half of the game, coming on strong and aggressive.
The first notable opportunity for the Billikens came in the seventh minute of the game, when freshman Dado Hamzagic ripped a shot from the top of the box that was tipped just over the crossbar by Michigan keeper Peter Dzubay.
DiRaimondo took the corner for the Billikens, which was gathered and cleared by Michigan’s keeper off a header to the right post from senior Jason Vilmer.
The Billiken play continued to be persistent in the first half, with impressive formations coming from their offense.
In the 30th minute, the Billikens notched the first goal of the game when DiRaimondo sent a cross from the right flank to freshman forward Kyle Patterson at the left side of the Wolverines’ penalty area.
Patterson sent the ball toward the near post with a header, where the ball was met by Hamzagic. Hamzagic sent the ball into the back of the net off a six-yard header, giving the Billikens the 1-0 lead.
SLU dominated play the rest of the half, out-shooting Michigan 6-2, but Michigan’s keeper proved to be an obstacle for the Billikens. In the 39th minute of the game, Dzubay made a diving save and denied freshman Chad Hagerty his first career goal.
Hagerty’s diving header came after freshman Larry Geraghty flicked the ball off a throw-in from senior Danny Wynn.
Dzubay also denied a 20-yard free kick to the left post from DiRaimondo in the 43rd minute of the half.
The Billikens opened the second half with a strong counterattack in the 51st minute of the game.
Junior midfielder Casey Spiess sent a cross from the left flank to junior Alex Matteson, who was unmarked, at the top of the box. Matteson then ripped a shot just over the crossbar.
The Wolverines responded to the Billikens with a goal off a free kick in the 77th minute of the game, tying the game 1-1.
Michigan midfielder Adam Bruh took the 28-yard free kick for the Wolverines, driving the ball into the upper-right corner of the goal.
SLU keeper Jeff Sackman was able to get his hand on the ball but was unable to knock it away.
SLU was quick to respond to the Michigan goal with a 35-yard free kick from Wynn in the 86th minute of the game.
Michigan’s wall deflected Wynn’s kick, and the keeper was able to get his hand on the ball, however, the ball’s drive carried it over the goal line, giving the Billikens a 2-1 win.
The Billikens out-shot Michigan 14-9, with each team having six corner kicks.
Michigan’s Dzubay netted seven saves, with Sackman only making two.
After a strong offensive performance last weekend, the Billikens have regained their confidence as a talented team and look forward to making their debut in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
“I told my guys after this Saturday’s game that, as disappointed as I was after last week’s loss against Northern Illinois, I was more than satisfied with their play against Michigan. They know they are a good team; it’s just a matter of showing it every time we walk out onto the field,” coach Dan Donigan said.
The Billikens open their Atlantic 10 Conference season this Friday, Oct. 7, at Robert R. Hermann Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff against Temple University.
