SLU has broken a string of ties in the first portion of the season with three conference wins in a row after this weekend. The Billikens defeated Davidson 1-0 at Hermann Stadium on Saturday. The men are now 7-5-2 overall and 3-1-2 in conference.
The Billikens controlled much of the first half outshooting the Wildcats 5-2, earning six corners to their two corners. SLU had quality chances, but could not convert to take the lead.
Late in the first half, Davidson had a chance off a corner kick that deflected off a SLU defender, but sophomore goalie Sascha Otte was on his toes to make the save and keep the game tied.
Just a few minutes into the second half, senior forward Faik Hajderovic put a ball into the box off a restart that found senior defender Filip Pavisic’s head and gave SLU the 1-0 in the 54th minute. Pavisic has five goals on the season, leading the team in goals as a defender.
Senior forward Vince Cicciarelli follows close behind with four goals and two assists, and junior forward Joe Saad leads the team in assists with four and has recorded two goals.
Hajderovic and fellow senior David Graydon, midfielder, continue to hold the first and second place titles for active NCAA Division I leaders in career assists with 25 and 23, respectively.
Otte recorded his third shutout in a row and fifth of the season. He has 18 career shutouts, keeping him as the only underclassmen in the top 15 active career leaders in NCAA Division I in shutouts. SLU outshot Davidson 11-7 and got five substitutes into the game. The Billiken defense allowed no shots on goal in the 90 minutes of play and have not conceded a goal in their past three victories.
SLU now sits at second in the conference with 11 points, following Dayton. The Billikens need to remain in the top eight to qualify for the conference tournament, which is Nov. 12-15.
The men were scheduled to take on Evansville on the road this past Tuesday, but the game was cancelled due to the condition of the field. This game will not be made up. The Bills will continue their schedule against St. Bonaventure Oct. 31, in N.Y.
