After starting the season with a loss at New Mexico and a scoreless draw against No. 16 South Florida, the Saint Louis University men’s soccer team enters Friday’s home game against Oral Roberts seeking its first win of the season, and its first win under the tutelage of head coach Mike McGinty.

Opening kickoff at Hermann Stadium is slated for 7 p.m., immediately following a ceremony in which the players will receive their 2009 Atlantic 10 Conference Championship rings.

Despite the scoreless draw last Saturday, McGinty acknowledged that SLU improved their play against South Florida.

“To date, I think it’s the best we played,” McGinty said. “A number of guys stepped up and really responded well. We left New Mexico with a bad taste in our mouth, but tonight we had good reactions, good attitudes and good mentalities.”

“We need to keep it going in the right direction and get ready for an important home game against Oral Roberts next Friday.”

After a pedestrian first half, the Billikens turned up the pressure in the second frame, out-shooting South Florida 7-2. After two 10-minute periods of overtime, neither team could find the back of the net.

Freshman forward Adnan Gabeljic, who came into the game as a substitute, injected energy into SLU’s attack, but his only registered shot soared high.

There were several notable absences for the Billikens against South Florida: senior midfielder Stephen Bortolon and junior forward Mike Roach, the leading scorer from last year’s squad.  Both veterans are dealing with recent injuries.

Oral Roberts enters tomorrow’s game boasting a 3-0 record, including an away victory against a ranked Memphis.  They visit SLU for the first time in six years.