St. Louis - Eighth-ranked Saint Louis shut out Bradley 1-0 this afternoon in a non-conference men's soccer match tonight before 2,590 fans at Robert R. Hermann Stadium. Senior defender Kevin Wickart scored the winner on Senior Day with his first goal of the season.
"That was a great win, because it was a region game and Bradley could have climbed maybe as high as second with a win," Billikens head coach Dan Donigan said. "As far as the postseason is concerned, we're now in position to control our own destiny in the Conference USA race and for the NCAA Tournament."
Bradley came out quickly in the first half and had six corner kicks within the first 10 minutes. Braves forward Luke Kreamalmeyer had the best opportunity off a corner with a 20-yard shot that was deflected just wide of the right post. As the half went on, Saint Louis took greater command of the possession time, and its best scoring chance also came off a corner. SLU freshman forward Vedad Ibisevic rang a volley off the right goal post in the 22nd minute. The Bills out-shot the Braves 7-4 in the first half, but BU had a 6-1 edge in corners.
Saint Louis finally capitalized on a corner at 64:04 to take the lead. Wickart bounced a 12-yard header to the right post off John DiRaimondo's serve. Wickart was playing only his second match after missing six games with a leg injury.
"It was great to get that goal on Senior Day, because it's been hard rehabbing from injuries, which seems to be the story of my college career," Wickart said. "The coaches have done a good job of getting me ready to play for the postseason, and I've probably been slowed down from other injuries because I've tried to come back too quickly. I wanted to be ready to play 90 minutes by this game, so I feel good."
Bradley nearly scored in the final minute as midfielder Joe Ducci lofted a ball from the left of the SLU penalty area to the right post. Billiken keeper Martin Hutton was backpedaling as he caught the ball and ended up in the goal, but still kept the ball out in front of him. Bradley argued that the ball had crossed the line, but the linesman ruled that Hutton had kept it out.
The Billikens out-shot Bradley (10-8-2) 16-6, but the Braves had a 9-4 edge on corners. BU keeper Chris Dunsheath made five saves and his defense cleared one ball, while Hutton made four stops to post his sixth shutout of the season.
Saint Louis (11-3-2) completes its regular season with a Conference USA match at UAB on Sat., Nov. 8.
#8 SAINT LOUIS 1, BRADLEY 0
SLU 64:04 Kevin Wickart 2-yd header from John DiRaimondo
Shots: SLU - 16, BU - 6 Corners: SLU - 4, BU - 9 Saves: SLU - 4 (Hutton), BU - 6 (Dunsheath-5, Team-1) Fouls: SLU - 7, BU - 6 Att: 2,590
