In a sea of blue over 5,000 strong, the Saint Louis University Billikens men’s soccer sought to open their season with a win in front of the raucous crowd. However, the Bills did not deliver with a 2-1 loss at Hermann Stadium. The team had an own goal by Jon Roeckle at the 66:20 mark to give Indiana the lead and ultimately the game.

“I thought the guys played their socks off.” Head Coach Mike McGinty said, “I thought they gave everything they had and did everything that we asked of them. The team showed a lot of fight and a lot spirit and I hope the fans got their money’s worth.”

The Bills started off the match well controlling the ball for most of the first 20 minutes of the match. The Bills Kingsley Bryce made a beautiful cross from the left to Jon Roeckle in the top of the box in the 22nd minute for the Bills first goal of the season. However, Indiana responded in the 34th minute with a goal by Indiana’s star player and Hermann Trophy Watchlist player Eriq Zavaleta.

The game was tied halftime and control began to shift into Indiana’s favor. Indiana controlled the ball for the majority of the first 15 minutes in the second half. Then an Indiana player cross the ball into the box when it was hit off on Roeckle’s head into his own goal.

The Bills had a few close opportunities in the second half, but could not convert. Alex Sweetin nearly sneaked a ball past Indiana goalkeeper, but he recovered and grabbed the ball before it crossed the line.

“Tonight was upsetting, we had been training for three and a half months, we were trying as hard as we could, we came out here with a great game plan and there just an unfortunate own goal at the end,” Goalkeeper Nick Shackelford said.

The Bills will be back in action Sunday at Hermann Stadium as part of the Billiken Classic against the Drake Bulldogs at 3 p.m.