Sept. 13, 2008

Box Score

ST. LOUIS - In a showdown of two top 10 teams, the ninth-ranked Saint Louis Billikens and No. 4 Connecticut played to a scoreless draw in men's soccer action Friday night at Robert R. Hermann Stadium.

The tie moves both squads to 2-0-3 on the season.

"This was an extremely tactical match against two great teams," SLU head coach Dan Donigan said. "It was a matter of seeing who was going to make the crucial mistake to change the game, only nobody really made that crucial mistake. I'm proud of my team because they bought into our game plan and played with discipline, heart and compassion. Right now, we are getting everything we need from them, and I am extremely happy with this group."

The Bills out-shot the Huskies 15-6 on the night and applied constant pressure in the second overtime. With four minutes remaining in the second OT, Brandon Barklage ripped a shot off a nice change of field by Rob Viviano, but UConn keeper Josh Ford was there knock the shot aside. On the subsequent corner kick, Kyle Patterson connected on a header, but his chance landed on top of the net.

Barklage had another chance with two minutes remaining, but his shot slid just outside the near post. In the first overtime, Barklage struck a nicely flighted corner kick that Jonas Reiter got a head on, but the ball sailed just wide.

After a scoreless first session, the team's came out with a little more juice in the second period. Patterson worked to get off a pair of shots, one of which was stopped by Ford on the near post. Defender Alex Johnston let a rocket go from 16 yards, but Ford stood his ground and deflected the ball over the net. Later, Mike Pezza crossed a ball into the box that was cleared off the line by Viviano.

The team's traded possessions in the first half, with each side generating a quality chance. UConn had the first scoring opportunity, and perhaps the best of the night for either team, when O'Brian White put a ball on frame with 18 minutes remaining the first stanza. Stationed at the top of the box, he received an Akeem Priestley pass and ripped a shot toward SLU keeper Pat Disbennett. But the ball glanced off the cross bar to keep it a scoreless game.

Eight minutes later, Barklage worked on the left side and generated an open look, but his low drive was stopped by Ford.

Saint Louis manufactured a 13-3 advantage in corner kicks. Barklage had a game-high six shots, while Patterson had four. White, the reigning MAC Hermann Trophy winner, had three of UConn's six shots.

Dibennett made a pair of saves for SLU, while Ford turned aside four chances.

The Billikens are back in action next Saturday, Sept. 20, when they host Denver at Robert R. Hermann Stadium. Game time is set for 7 p.m.