Charlotte - Third-ranked Saint Louis scored three times in a 13-minute span late in the match tonight to put away Charlotte 3-1 and win Conference USA's regular-season title outright at Transamerica Field. The Billikens' high-scoring trio of Missouri Athletic Club national Player of the Year candidate Dipsy Selolwane, Hermann Trophy candidate Brad Davis and Jack Jewsbury each found the back of the net.
"Charlotte's still trying to win their way into the C-USA tournament, so they had a lot to play for tonight," Billikens head coach Dan Donigan said. "For us to come in here and get that result under those conditions was tremendous and is a great way for us to go into the conference tournament."
After a scoreless first half that saw Saint Louis out-shoot the 49ers 8-3, the Billikens broke through in the 73rd minute. Junior forward Jack Jewsbury found the back of the net with senior midfielder Mike Hill assisting.
Selolwane netted his team-leading eighth game winner at 80:43 unassisted. Charlotte crept back within a goal when forward Mira Mupier capitalized on a collision between Billikens keeper John Politis and defender Tim Sartori. Mupier tucked a shot into the gaping net at 84:07.
Davis ended any suspense with a penalty kick at 88:34 after being dragged down in the Charlotte penalty area. The Billikens out-shot the 49ers 17-8 and enjoyed a 12-5 advantage on corner kicks. Politis made three saves for the Bills, while Charlotte keeper Lucas Mackanos recorded seven stops.
Saint Louis (14-1-0, 9-1-0 C-USA) will next play in the C-USA quarterfinals as the No. 1 seed on Fri., Nov. 16, in Tampa. The Billikens' regular-season record is their best since the 1991 final four team posted a 16-1-2 mark on its way to the national semifinals. Charlotte (8-8-2, 4-4-1) and needs one point in their next match at South Florida to qualify for the C-USA postseason event.
SAINT LOUIS 3, CHARLOTTE 1
SLU 72:44 Jack Jewsbury from Mike Hill
SLU 80:43 Dipsy Selolwane unassisted
CHA 84:07 Mira Mupier unassisted
SLU 85:34 Brad Davis PK
Shots: SLU-17, CHA-8 Corners: SLU-12, CHA-5 Saves: SLU-3 (Politis), CHA-7 (Mackanos) Fouls: SLU-10, CHA-12
