Charlotte - Saint Louis sophomore midfielder Ryan Wileman's first career goal was the winner in the second overtime to lift the third-ranked Billikens past Charlotte 1-0 tonight at Transamerica Field. The Billikens won their Conference USA opener and handed Charlotte its first league loss after two wins.
"Although we felt as if we controlled the match between the 18s, it was a bit of a frustrating game because we didn't finish as well as we would like," head coach Dan Donigan said. "However, any road win in conference play is a great one. It's just another positive learning experience for this young team in a process that can be long and difficult."
When Charlotte senior defender Mike Trinitapoli received his second yellow card in the 80th minute, the 49ers had to play shorthanded for the remainder of the match. As a result, Saint Louis spent most of the remaining time in Charlotte's half.
In the second overtime, Charlotte goalkeeper Luca Mackanos made yet another spectacular stop as he went right post to left post to stone Billiken midfielder Andrew Moses. SLU freshman midfielder Alex Matteson had found Moses all alone with a pass from the right flank.
Wileman ended it at 104:33 as he broke in from the right flank after receiving a pass from freshman midfielder Will John. Wileman's 15-yard shot was headed wide, but clipped a 49ers defender and bounced in at the left post past an exasperated Mackanos.
"Once we went up a man, it was really just a matter of time until we solved them," Donigan said. "We were patient, limited their opportunities and overcame a tremendous effort by their keeper."
Saint Louis jumped on tap in the fourth minute as freshman forward Vedad Ibisevic found the back of the net with a 12-yard header. Charlotte's Mackanos attempted to punch clear a Billiken cross, but the ball went straight to Ibisevic. The Billiken scoring leader popped a header into the turf just in front of the goal past Mackanos.
Charlotte tied the match in the 43rd minute off a counter attack. Senior midfielder Juan Munoz-Airey drilled a 25-yard laser past SLU keeper Martin Hutton. The goal snapped Hutton's scoreless streak at 336 minutes.
SLU's John threatened to snap the tie with 13 seconds remaining in the half, but Mackanos was ready for John's 16-yard shot at the right post. In an evenly played first half, SLU out-shot the 49ers 4-2 with neither club earning a corner kick.
Mackanos made a pair of sensational saves to keep the match tied in the 56th minute. The 49ers keeper dived to his right to block Ibisevic's low 18-yard drive. John pounced on the rebound, but Mackanos recovered quickly enough to block the freshman midfielder's 8-yard shot.
Hutton also was equal to the challenge in the 70th minute as Munoz bid to break the deadlock. Off a through ball, the 49ers midfielder tried to chip the SLU keeper from 15 yards, but the charging Hutton threw his arms up to block it.
The goalkeepers began to trade game-saving stops. Mackanos stood tall again with 17 minutes left in regulation as he leaped to tip SLU midfielder John DiRaimondo's 25-yard free kick over the cross bar. SLU's Hutton did the same just three minutes later on 49er midfielder Floyd Franks' 20-yard free kick. Mackanos again denied Ibisevic from 10 yards with 1:50 to play, and also blocked John's rebound attempt.
The Billikens out-shot Charlotte (2-4-0 overall, 2-1-0 C-USA) 16-8 as Mackanos made 10 saves for the 49ers. Hutton stopped four Charlotte shots. Charlotte had a 5-2 edge on corners.
Saint Louis won its third overtime game of the season and improved to 6-0-0 overall and 1-0-0 in C-USA. The Billikens begin a three-game homestand on Wed., Sept. 24, when Western Illinois visits Robert R. Hermann Stadium for a 7 p.m. non-conference match.
#3 SAINT LOUIS 2, CHARLOTTE 1 (2OT)
SLU3:11 Vedad Ibisevic 12-yd header unassisted
CHA 42:59 Juan Munoz-Airey 25 yds unassisted
SLU 104:33 Ryan Wileman's 15 yds from Will John
Shots: SLU - 16, CHA - 8 Corners: SLU - 2, CHA - 5 Saves: SLU - 3 (Hutton - 4), CHA - 10 (Mackanos) Fouls: SLU - 11, CHA - 22 Att: 1,115
