St. Louis - No. 8 Indiana smothered Saint Louis 2-1 in overtime this afternoon in a men's soccer match before 3,317 fans at Robert R. Hermann Stadium. The decisive tally came on a Billikens' own goal in the 92nd minute.

With the Billikens trailing 1-0 and pressing in the waning moments, the game was held up as SLU midfielder Ryan Wileman collided with the left goal post as he made a desperate attempt to get to a cross. IU keeper Jay Nolly punched the cross over the end line. On the ensuing corner kick, the ball went deep to SLU midfielder Brian Grazier, who sent a pass to the top of the IU penalty area. Billiken defender Brandon Gasparovic drilled his first career goal just inside the right post at 89:52.

"I was just trying to get it on frame," Gasparovic said. "I was just floating at the top of the area, because no one was on me, and Grazier found me. It bounced once, and I just chipped it on goal, just hoping for a deflection or that someone else might get to it. Their keeper seemed to be off to the other side, so it found the right post. It looked as if it was going to be a huge lift for us, but it just didn't work out."

Gasparovic also had the misfortune of being involved in the winning goal. Attempting to close down on Indiana forward Jacob Peterson, the Bills' freshman defender slipped to the ground. Peterson let loose with a shot that SLU senior defender Brett Branan headed into the turf and redirected toward the left post. SLU freshman defender Tim Ward attempted to clear the ball off the line, but pounded it into the upper netting.

"It looked like the first shot was going wide, but went back toward the goal when Brett got his head on it," Gasparovic said. "You can say that he should've let it go, but your first instinct is to stop it. It's a frustrating way to lose."

Junior midfielder Jordan Chirico gave the Hoosiers the early lead in the 14th minute. From the right of the SLU penalty area, IU's Peterson found Chirico unmarked in front of the Billiken goal. Chirico made no mistake from 10 yards. Although the Hoosiers had a 7-3 edge in shots, Saint Louis had its best chance when Branan hit the cross bar on a header in the 34th minute.

The second half was devoid of many solid chances through the course of play except for Indiana pouncing on some errant Billiken passes. SLU keeper Martin Hutton made a solid save on Hoosier midfielder Brian Plotkin's 12-yard shot in the 72nd minute. SLU defender Casey Spiess sent a 12-yard volley high off a corner kick in the 76th minute.

The Big Ten champion Hoosiers (13-3-1) out-shot the Billikens 12-7, but the Bills had a 7-1 edge on corners. IU's Nolly made three saves, and the Bills' Hutton made six stops.

Saint Louis (8-7-1) begins play in the Conference USA postseason tournament on Thu., Nov. 11, at Louisville's Cardinal Field. Pairings in the C-USA tournament are still to be determined.

#8 INDIANA 2, SAINT LOUIS 1 (OT)
IU  13:37  Jordan Chirico 10 yds from Jacob Peterson
SLU 89:52 Brian Grazier.
IU  91:29  SLU own goal

Shots: SLU - 12, IU - 7 Corners: SLU - 7, IU - 1 Saves: SLU - 6 (Hutton), IU - 3 (Nolly) Fouls: SLU - 21, IU - 17 Att: 3,317