BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - No. 12 Indiana scored a goal in each half and upended the 23rd-ranked Saint Louis Billikens 2-0 Tuesday night in the second round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament at Armstrong Stadium.
The Billikens, who were making its 45th overall and third straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament, end their season with a 12-5-5 record. Indiana (13-6-3), which claimed the sixth-seed in the tourney, hosts Michigan in the third round this weekend.
"I told my guys that I was very proud of what they did for us this year," Billikens head coach Dan Donigan said. "We took a lot of hits this season with injuries, and in the end they played hard and left it all on the field and that is all I can ask of them. It is an unfortunate result, but I am proud of my team."
The Hoosiers got on the board in the 19th minute on an unassisted goal by senior midfielder John Mellencamp. With possession in empty space 30 yards out on the left side, Mellencamp lifted a curling ball into the penalty area. The ball carried over the out-stretched arms of SLU keeper Pat Disbennett and banked in off the inside of the far post to put Indiana up 1-0 early.
Indiana, which out-shot SLU 9-3 in the first half, took that lead into halftime. The Billikens had several opportunities to crack the scoreboard. Eight minutes into the match, Jimmy Holmes collected a through-ball in the middle of the box and drove a ball wide. Later in the half, Brandon Barklage threaded a pass to Kyle Hayes near the top of the box, but Hayes' left-footed drive sailed just wide.
Disbennett kept it a one-goal game when he intercepted an Eric Alexander chance near the top of the box with 18 minutes remaining in the first session. Earlier in the frame, Kevin Noschang sent a pass to an open Will Bruin, but his shot went high.
In the second half, IU had the first scoring chance when Brad Ring sent a cross-field pass to a breaking Noschang, but Calum Angus caught up with Noschang to disrupt the break-away.
In the 66th minute, Kevin Alston headed home an Andy Adlard corner kick to put the Hoosiers on top 2-0. The ball was served to the back post, where Alston ran onto it and headed it into the back of the net.
Off the subsequent restart, the Billikens had perhaps their best scoring opportunity of the night. Dado Hamzagic had a shot from 10 yards out blocked. He collected the rebound and sent his second shot just high.
Indiana held a 15-9 advantage in shots and out-cornered the Billikens 5-4. Disbennett made six for SLU. Indiana keeper Chay Cain was not forced to make a save but was sharp in intercepting SLU crosses.
