Memphis - Sixth-ranked Saint Louis topped Charlotte on penalty kicks after playing to a 2-2 draw in double overtime to claim the Conference USA men's soccer postseason tournament championship this afternoon at Mike Rose Soccer Complex. It was the Billikens' fourth straight C-USA tournament title and their sixth in the nine-year history of the league.
Freshman midfielder Brian Grazier's PK to the left side back netting proved to be decisive after the teams were even at 4-4 through the first six kicks. Charlotte senior midfielder Juan Munoz-Airey missed the goal on his attempt to open the door for Grazier, who had not scored a goal this season. Billiken goalkeeper Martin Hutton made two saves in the shootout.
"We've overcome a wide variety of adversity on the road this year and winning the championship on penalty kicks was just another one of those experiences," Billikens head coach Dan Donigan said. "We give Charlotte an incredible amount of credit. It was their third game in four days, their season was on the line and they played their hearts out. They deserved better."
The 49ers struck first on sophomore midfielder Sean Zubick's corner kick just 1:47 into the match. After the ball seemed to be deflected to the left post, senior defender Joe Lampert connected on a header from five yards.
SLU's Hutton kept the deficit at a goal in the sixth minute when a 49ers shot deflected to Zubick, whose header was going left post. Hutton dived to make the save.
C-USA Freshman of the Year Vedad Ibisevic knotted the game in the 38th minute. A centering pass caromed among a group of Charlotte defenders at the top of their penalty area and bounced to Ibisevic, who sent a 20-yard volley inside the right post. Charlotte out-shot the Bills 7-3 in the first half as SLU's Hutton made five saves.
Ibisevic gave the Billikens the lead in the 73rd minute, catching 49ers keeper Lucas Mackanos off his line. Ibisevic collected a Cooper McKee's long ball at the end line to the left of the Charlotte goal and drilled a 10-yard shot to the far corner from a difficult angle.
Charlotte answered two minutes later after a SLU foul just outside the left of the Billikens' penalty area. Off the direct kick, sophomore midfielder Floyd Franks drilled a bullet through the wall that Hutton couldn't come up with. Franks had another chance off a set piece to potentially win the game, but his 25-yard free kick from the left sailed just over the right post.
In the first overtime, Charlotte had the first opportunity as SLU's Hutton snagged 49ers freshman midfielder Michael Rose's 10-yard header. The Billikens had the best chances after that. Ibisevic was dangerous with a header that went just wide right. Grazier drilled a 20-yard shot that Charlotte's Mackanos tipped over the cross bar. On the ensuing corner, Bills defender Kevin Wickart's header was handled easily by Mackanos. As time was expiring, Ibisevic drilled a 12-yard just into the right side of the net.
With both teams tiring, chances were hard to come by in the second OT. Billiken freshman midfielder John DiRaimondo's free kick was deflected wide of the right post. Charlotte's Evan Harding had a 20-yard shot sail wide.
Charlotte finished the season 7-9-3. The shots were even at 13 apiece, but Saint Louis had a 6-3 edge on corners. Charlotte's Mackanos made two saves, while SLU's Hutton made six stops and his defense cleared one ball away.
Ibisevic, who scored six goals in the tournament, and Hutton both were named to the All-Tournament team along with senior defenders Andy Pusateri and Nick Gannon. "Vedad was due to explode and he did that in this tournament by playing exceptionally well," Donigan said. "We played well as a team and certainly well enough to win, but he carried us."
Saint Louis (13-3-3) awaits the NCAA Tournament bracket announcement tomorrow afternoon.
#6 SAINT LOUIS 2, CHARLOTTE 2 (OT) - SLU wins on PKs (5-4)
CHA 1:47 Joe Lampert 5-yd header from Juan Munoz-Airey, Sean Zubick
SLU 37:03 Vedad Ibisevic 20 yds from Cooper McKee's
SLU 72:22 Ibisevic 10 yds unassisted
CHA 74:26 Floyd Franks 15 yds unassisted
Shots: SLU - 13, CHA - 13 Corners: SLU - 6, CHA - 3 Saves: SLU - 7 (Hutton-6, Team-1), CHA - 2 (Mackanos-2) Fouls: SLU - 13, CHA - 26
