CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Brandon Barklage's second-half goal broke a 2-2 tie and powered No. 18 Saint Louis to a 3-2 victory over 23rd-ranked Charlotte in a key Atlantic 10 Conference men's soccer matchup Saturday at Transamerica Field. SLU also got a goal from Jimmy Holmes and benefited from an own goal.
The win moves the Billikens to 7-2-5 overall and 3-2-0 in the A-10. Charlotte, which broke into the NSCAA's top-25 this week and claimed the No. 1 spot in the Middle-Atlantic region, dips to 10-4-1 and 2-2-1 in the league.
"I'm very proud of the group to bounce back after last weekend and get this result on the road against the region's top team in Charlotte," Billiken head coach Dan Donigan said. "We now have to regroup again and continue to ride the high of getting a good result on the road against a very good team.
"We have had a lot of players banged up, and credit has to be given to our athletic trainer Angie Wills for not only getting them ready to play, but for getting them through a tough 90 minutes tonight."
The Billikens got on the scoreboard in the 22nd minute when Jimmy Holmes tallied his first goal of the season. Tim Ream played a ball in to Kyle Patterson, who quickly laid it off for Holmes who beat Charlotte keeper David Martin to the right side.
Charlotte, which came into tonight's tilt boasting the league's top offense, didn't get a shot on goal until the 38th minute, but the 49ers took full advantage of it as A-10 leading scorer Chris Salvaggione scored on a set piece off a free kick started by Adam Gross.
Two minutes later, Charlotte took the lead when Kent Long took a Salvaggione pass and beat Disbennett to the right side.
Just before intermission, the Billikens tied the score via an own goal. Kyle Hayes sent a ball to Patterson, who ripped a shot toward the Charlotte goal. The ball, however, was inadvertently redirected by a Charlotte defender and into the back of the net.
Barklage found the back of the net at the 57:06 mark for the game winner. After taking a James Jaramillo feed, Barklage ripped a 30-yarder that found its way through the box and into the back of the net. It was Barklage's fourth goal of the season and his first game winner.
The Billikens' defense, anchored by Tim Ream and Rob Viviano, fought off several late chances by a charging Niners squad. Midfielders Josh Aranda and Jaramillo also contributed to the defensive effort, which forced Disbennett to make just two stops.
Overall, SLU was out-shot 13-8 but held a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.
The Billikens close out their regular-season home schedule next weekend when St. Bonaventure and Duquesne come to town. The Billikens host the Bonnies Friday at 7 p.m. and the Dukes Sunday at 1 p.m. Prior to the game against Duquesne, SLU will honor its six seniors as part of Senior Day ceremonies. For tickets, call (314) 977-3346 or visit www.slubillikens.com.
