The Billiken men’s soccer team split their final weekend series of the season, beating Dayton 3-1 and losing to Xavier in double overtime 1-0.
The Bills (6-9-1) will end their regular and conference seasons by playing nationally ranked No. 16 Charlotte at Hermann Stadium.
The Bills are currently in a four-way tie for sixth place in the conference standings. The top six teams at season’s end will advance to the Atlantic 10 Championship.
“We know the situation that we are faced with. We have to win against Charlotte. We are doing everything we can to get prepared and get the win,” Head Coach Mike McGinty said.
It has been a tough season for the Bills. These last two games summarized the ups and downs they have faced the past few months.“We have had a tough season, some bumps and bruises along the way, but we are getting better,” freshman forward Robbie Kristo said.
The Bills picked up a key victory against Dayton on Friday, Oct. 29 in a 3-1 win. Michael Robson opened the scoring in the 15th minute. Jon Roeckle tallied the game winner in the 72nd minute, and Kristo scored in the 81st minute.
The Bills then played a dramatic game against Xavier on Sunday, where they lost a 1-0 double overtime match.
The Bills had the wind in the first half and managed a 12-3 advantage in shots, including a flurry early in the match that saw a shot off the cross bar.
The Bills had their best opportunity to score in the first half when Xavier was whistled for a hand-ball in the box, but the resulting penalty kick by Roeckle was stopped by Xavier keeper Justin Marshall.
In the second half, Xavier had the advantage with a 10-5 edge in shots. The game remained scoreless through regulation, thanks in part to five saves by Bills keeper Nick Shackelford.
Xavier had its best chance to win the game late in regulation, but the Musketeers rang a shot off the goal post.
In the beginning of the second overtime, Xavier’s Spencer scored the golden goal from a Matt Walker assist. Walker had the ball on the left side and fed Spencer, who belted a drive over the out-stretched arms of Shackelford into the upper netting.
The Bills were stunned as some of their own players lay on the field, heads down, as Xavier celebrated their victory at midfield.
The Bills conclude their season by playing No. 16 Charlotte at Hermann Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 7 .p.m.
At halftime, Brian McBride, the famous Bills Striker, will be honored. McBride just finished an illustrious career in the English Premier League and Major League Soccer, concluding his career with the Chicago Fire.
In his four seasons with the Bills, he played (and started) in 89 games and set career records for goals (72), assists (40) and total points (184).
Charlotte is the toughest team in the A-10?a team packed with future professional soccer players, a team that currently leads the A-10 conference standings, a team that is guaranteed a spot in the A-10 Conference tournament.
“We have an extra day to prepare, so we are going to practice at night on Friday to get prepared for what could be our final game of the year,” senior midfielder Alex Johnston said.
“Coach talked about preparing and playing for others this week. I am going to focus on working harder and giving these seniors the best of my game,” freshman midfielder Kingsley Bryce said.
Charlotte is led by four amazing players: senior forward Evan James, freshman forward Giuseppe Gentile, junior forward Donnie Smith and senior defender Charles Rodriguez. James is currently seventh in the A-10 with 15 points (4G 7A) and was a preseason All-Atlantic 10 selection. Gentile is currently eighth in the A-10 with 14 points (7G 0A), and Smith is currently ninth in the A-10 with 13 points (5G 3A). Rodriguez has only one goal and one assist; however, he heads one of the toughest defenses in the A-10. Rodriguez was named a preseason All-Atlantic 10, member of the Hermann Trophy Watch List and a College Soccer News Preseason All-American.
Charlotte is the toughest match the Bills have had since their game against South Florida, and they have only lost one game in their A-10 conference season and three games all year.
The Bills are in a four-way tie for the final spot in the conference tournament with Temple, Dayton and La Salle. The Bills have to win and need a lot of help: Temple needs to tie against La Salle and lose against Fordham, Dayton needs to tie or lose against Xavier, and La Salle needs to tie against Temple and lose against St Joseph’s.
It is do or die for the Bills.
