Greenville, N.C. - Saint Louis senior forward Dipsy Selolwane netted his first career hat trick to lead the Billikens past East Carolina 5-1 in a Conference USA men's soccer match at Greenville, N.C. today. The fourth-ranked Billikens improved to 4-0-0 overall and 1-0-0 in C-USA
"Considering the two-week lay-off and having travel for our conference opener, I thought we played well and responded to the challenge," Billikens head coach Dan Donigan said. "We consistently created good scoring opportunities, finished well and got a great road result at a place that's not easy to play."
Selolwane got the Billikens started quickly as he stripped a Pirate defender and beat ECU keeper R.J. Marvinney from 15 yards in the fifth minute. Junior defender Mike Kirchhoff made it a two-goal lead with his first career Billiken goal in the 25th minute. Senior midfielder Mike Hill dribbled to the endline and centered a ball for Kirchhoff, who sent a one-timer to the near post.
East Carolina slashed the deficit in half less than a minute later when sophomore forward Josh Foltz found the back of the net from 18 yards at 25:32. Foltz bent an 18-yard drive to the far side netting with Clyde Simms and D.J. Jarmon picking up assists.
Junior forward Nick Walls gave the Billikens a two-goal margin again in the 51st minute as Jack Jewsbury and Tim Sartori assisted. Jewsbury, who was making his first appearance of the season after missing three weeks with a lacerated foot, sent Walls in all alone on Marvinney and Walls slotted it underneath the diving keeper.
Selolwane closed the scoring with the final two goals of the match. Senior midfielder David Beck played a ball behind the Pirates' defense, and Selolwane ran onto it sending a blast into the upper right corner from 14 yards in the 62nd minute. An ECU defender dragged Selolwane down in the 76th minute, and Dipsy drilled the ensuing penalty kick.
Saint Louis out-shot the Pirates 22-10 and had an 8-6 advantage on corner kicks. John Politis and Travis Kamm combined to make five saves. Marvinney made six stops for the Pirates.
Although Saint Louis got preseason All-America Jewsbury back in the line-up, the Billikens continued to play short-handed as Hermann Trophy candidate Brad Davis sat out the match with an injury. Defensive midfielder Nick Gannon made his first appearance this afternoon after missing the first three matches following off-season surgery.
The Billikens return home intrastate rival Southwest Missouri State on Wed., Sept. 26, for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Robert R. Hermann Stadium. Saint Louis returns to C-USA action on Sat., Sept. 29, when TCU visits Hermann Stadium for a 7 p.m. start.
SAINT LOUIS 5, EAST CAROLINA 1
SLU 4:46 Dipsy Selolwane 15-yds unassisted
SLU 24:56 Mike Kirchhoff from Mike Hill one-timer to near post
ECU 25:32 Josh Foltz 18 yds from Clyde Simms and DJ Jarmon
SLU 50:12 Nick Walls on break-in from Jack Jewsbury and Tim Sartori
SLU 61:02 Selolwane 14 yds from David Beck
SLU 75:59 Selolwane PK
Shots: SLU-22, ECU-10 Corners: SLU-8, ECU-6 Saves: SLU-5 (Politis-4, Kamm-1), ECU-6 (Marvinney) Fouls: SLU-8, ECU-11 Att: 184
