St. Louis - Saint Louis seniors Jack Jewsbury and Jason Cole combined for three goals and two assists as the Billikens handled Eastern Illinois 4-0 tonight in a non-conference men's soccer match before 1,036 fans at Robert R. Hermann Stadium. After beginning the season with a three-game winless streak, the Billikens have run off six straight victories.
"It was a great night for Jackie to be rewarded for all the hard work he's put in," head coach Dan Donigan said. "He's been playing great, but hasn't had the points to show for it. The game came to him tonight, and he took it."
Under threatening skies, senior midfielder Jack Jewsbury put the Bills on top in the 10th minute. After Cole created a two-on-one off a steal, the Panthers' defense broke up the opportunity. Cole dropped a loose ball back to Jewsbury at the top of the penalty area, and Jewsbury buried it to the right post from 20 yards.
After failing to convert on several excellent scoring opportunities, senior forward Nick Walls gave the Bills a two-goal margin at 33:06. After Jewsbury chested Wickart's long pass, Jewsbury flipped a pass to Walls cruising in on the right flank. Walls split the defenders, went in alone on Panthers keeper Ryan Eames and drilled a six-yard shot to the far post. Saint Louis carried the 2-0 lead to halftime after out-shooting the Panthers (4-5-0) 11-3 in the first half with a 5-4 edge in corners.
Cole scored the first of his two goals in the 82nd minute. His eight-yard redirection of Wickart's serve from the right flank slipped through Eames and rolled over the endline. Cole volleyed Wickart's corner kick at 89:01 to close the scoring.
After Cole scored, redshirt freshman keeper Jeff Sackman made his Billiken debut and relieved starter Martin Hutton, who has strung together 416 consecutive scoreless minutes.
Saint Louis out-shot the Panthers (4-5-0) 19-3 forcing Eames to make 10 saves and his defense cleared another shot off its own line. SLU's Hutton made two stops before yielding to Sackman, and the Billiken defense stepped in for another save.
"We did a good job defensively, because Jason Thompson is a special player and Jimmy Klatter is dangerous," Donigan said. "To shut that team down is an accomplishment."
The Billikens (6-2-1 overall) entertain 10th-ranked Furman on Sat., Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. at Hermann Stadium.
SAINT LOUIS 4, EASTERN ILLINOIS 0
SLU 9:29 Jack Jewsbury 20 yds from Jason Cole to near post
SLU 33:06 Nick Walls 6 yds from Jewsbury, Kevin Wickart
SLU 81:25 Jason Cole 8-yd redirect from Wickart
SLU 89:01 Cole 6-yd volley off ck from Wickart
Shots: SLU - 19, EIU - 3 Corners: SLU - 9, EIU - 7 Saves: SLU - 3 (Hutton), EIU - 10 (Eames-9, Team-1) Fouls: SLU - 17, EIU - 18 Att: 1,036
