St. Louis - Saint Louis' Brad Davis had a hat trick and assisted on another goal as the Billikens topped Eastern Illinois 4-1 in the regular-season opener for both clubs tonight before a crowd of 2,079 at Robert R. Hermann Stadium. The victory was the first career win for new head coach Dan Donigan.

"Coming off that emotional high from the UConn game last week, we were sluggish early but worked out way through it to play a much better second half," Donigan said. "Brad is a special player who had a special night. But as good as his finishes were, the build-up to the goals was even better."

Eastern Illinois had the better of the play early and had three good scoring opportunities in the first three minutes off Billiken defensive miscues. Panthers forward Jason Thompson stole the ball and drilled a shot into the side netting from 10 yards. After another SLU giveaway, Billiken keeper John Politis tipped a looping shot from EIU forward Derrick Perry over the cross bar. Off the ensuing corner kick, Panthers midfielder Casey Rasul sent a drive over the cross bar.

Brad Davis, the Billikens' Hermann Trophy candidate, got Saint Louis on the board in the 29th minute on a sterling individual effort. Davis dribbled 40 yards through the Panthers' defense and drilled a shot to the lower right corner from six yards. The Bills got on the board again in the 34th minute as newcomer Dipsy Selolwane notched his first career goal. Davis found midfielder Andy Pusateri, who beat the EIU defense wide to the right and sent a crisp pass to Selolwane cutting on goal. The Botswana native found the back of the net on a one-timer from five yards.

EIU cut into the lead at 39:41 on a five-yard drive by midfielder Aaron Aguirre off a feed from Thompson. The Billikens' Davis answered within less than a minute. After a long ball from midfielder David Beck down the left side, Davis drew EIU keeper Justin Bennett off his line and softly hooked an eight-yard shot to the upper right hand corner.

Davis concluded the scoring at 89:00 on an eight-yard break-in off passes from Selolwane and Beck. Davis faked Bennett to the turf and tucked a shot in behind the fallen keeper.

The Billikens were out-shot by the Panthers 14-12 as Politis made eight saves. Bennett made five stops for the Panthers, who also cleared a shot of their own line.

The Billikens host their own Nike Classic next week as they face traditional Big East power Rutgers at 7 p.m. on Fri., Sept. 7, after fifth-ranked North Carolina tangles with Cincinnati. On Sun., Sept. 9, the Bearcats take on the Scarlet Knights at noon before the Billikens and Tar Heels square off at 2:30 p.m.

SAINT LOUIS 4, EASTERN ILLINOIS 1 
 SLU   28:20  Brad Davis 6-yds unassisted
 SLU   33:48  Dipsy Selolwane 5 yds from Davis, Andy Pusateri
 EIU   39:31  Aaron Aguirre 5 yds to left post from Jason Thompson
 SLU   40:47  Davis 8 yds to upper left corner from David Beck
 SLU   89:00 Davis 8 yds from Selolwane and Beck

Shots: SLU-12, EIU-14 Corners: SLU-5, EIU-4 Saves: SLU-8 (Politis), EIU-6 (Bennett-5, Team-1) Fouls: SLU-15, EIU-12 Att: 2,079