St. Louis - Saint Louis junior midfielder Dado Hamzagic scored twice as the Billikens topped UMKC 3-0 tonight in a non-conference men's soccer match before 1,160 fans at Robert R. Hermann Stadium. It was the season opener for both clubs.

"We were patient, and eventually we capitalized on the chances that we were generating," Billikens head coach Dan Donigan said. "It was great to see Dado and Kyle Patterson score in this game, because it takes some self-imposed pressure off them. Expectations are high for those two, but we all need to remember it was just their first collegiate game."

Saint Louis came out with high pressure and registered the first 10 shots of the match and had a 13-2 edge in shots during the first half. SLU freshman forward Kyle Patterson hit the post from six yards in the fourth minute. Hamzagic netted his first career goal on a diving header in the 10th minute. Hamzagic buried the shot from four yards off Calum Angus banged a header off the iron in the 18th minute.

Patterson gave the Bills a two-goal edge in the 66th minute. DiRaimondo sent Patterson in on a breakaway, and the rookie forward buried a low drive past UMKC keeper Todd Dohlman into the right corner.

Hamzagic's second goal in the 71st minute came off some good work by senior back Danny Wynn. After taking advantage of a Kangaroos defender's misplay along the right end line, Wynn drove the ball across the front of the goal where DiRaimondo fanned on an attempt, but Hamzagic was ready at the far post for the tap-in.

After coming out of grad school just last week to take injured keeper David Greathouse's spot on the roster, senior Jeff Sackman didn't have to make a save as he posted the shutout. UMKC (0-1-0) keeper Todd Dohlman made nine saves, many of them in acrobatic fashion, as the Bills out-shot the 'Roos 20-3.

"We got to play a lot of people tonight, which was great considering that we have quite a challenge with Duke coming to our place Saturday night," Donigan said. "They were a College Cup team last year with a young club, and they bring just about everyone back. They are a legitimate top five team."

Saint Louis (1-0-0) entertains third-ranked Duke on Sat., Sept. 3, at 7 p.m.

SAINT LOUIS 3, UMKC 0
SLU  9:24  Dado Hamzagic 4-yd diving header from John DiRaimondo
SLU 65:04 Kyle Patterson 16-yds from DiRaimondo
SLU  70:08 Hamzagic tap-in from Danny Wynn

Shots: SLU - 20, UMKC -3 Corners: SLU - 3, UMKC - 0 Saves: SLU - 0 (Sackman), UMKC - 9 (Dohlman) Fouls: SLU - 9, UMKC - 11 Att: 1,160