ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis University men's soccer defeated Louisville 3-1 in the semifinals of the Conference USA Tournament at Robert R. Hermann Stadium tonight. Senior Nick Walls netted a pair of goals within minutes of each other to break the 1-1 tie and secure the Billiken victory.
The Billikens struck first in the 28th minute on senior Jason Cole's 17th goal of the season. Junior Andy Pusateri served a ball from deep on the left side. As the ball landed at Cole's feet, a pair of defenders converged. The tangle of feet and the danger of Cole in the box forced UofL keeper Brad Sokolowski to advance toward the fray. Cole battled for a sliver of free space and sent the ball skidding across the ground to the far post.
With the Billikens controlling the ball through most of the game, the Cardinals knotted it on their first corner of the evening. Courtenay Commander launched the ball into the box where Adrian Cann sent a shot past SLU keeper Martin Hutton, but senior midfielder Jack Jewsbury was on the goal line to clear the initial shot. The opportunistic Simon Bird collected the rebound and found the back of the net to tie the game in the 66th minute.
Again, Saint Louis immediate went back on the offensive and the Billikens needed just 10 minutes to regain the advantage. Junior back Kevin Wickart collected the ball on the right side with room to work and served it into the omnipresent Cole in the box. C-USA's leading scorer trapped the ball under his foot and, losing his balance, got off a shot that slipped past Sokolowski only to be stopped by the post. As the ball bounced out, Walls cleared space and scored from six yards out in the 76th minute.
The Cardinals earned another corner kick, but could not capitalize while Walls and the Billikens wasted no time in closing the door on a comeback. Senior Mike Kirchhoff served a long ball ahead to Walls, who carried it some 10 yards through the midfield before letting it go from 12 yards out and beating Sokolowski on the far post.
Saint Louis outshot Louisville 13-6 in posting its fourth-consecutive victory and ending Louisville's seven-game win streak. The Billikens advance to the tournament final against Cincinnati, who advanced over Marquette on penalty kicks in the evening's first semifinal. The championship is set to kick off at 1 p.m. at Hermann Stadium and will be broadcast locally on Charter Communications.
