ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis junior James Jaramillo found the end of a 40-yard free kick from senior Brandon Barklage to give the seventh-ranked Billikens a 1-0 victory against Denver in men's soccer action Saturday night at Robert R. Hermann Stadium.
With the win, the Billikens remain unbeaten on the season at 3-0-3. Denver dips to 2-4-0 with the loss.
"This was a grind-out win, and we may have more of those this season," SLU head coach Dan Donigan said. "(Denver head coach) Bobby Muuss has his team playing quality soccer. I told our team at halftime to not get frustrated and to keep plugging and keep going. I credit my guys to have done that and come up with a big goal.
"Brandon Barklage struck a beautiful ball, and James did a nice job finding the end of it. I'm happy with the way we grinded that win out and did suffer a letdown after the UConn match. "
Jaramillo's goal came at the 87:33 mark and was set up by Barklage's free kick. From 40 yards, he sent the ball to the far post, where Jaramillo ran toward it and headed it home for his third goal of the season.
"I have to give credit to Barklage because it was a perfect ball," Jaramillo said. "I just found a way to lose my defender and was able to get a head on it. This is a good win going into Homecoming next week against Missouri State, and hopefully we'll be able to keep it going against Northwestern and Creighton."
SLU keeper Pat Disbennett registered a career-high seven saves despite suffering a cut above his nose that required an extended stoppage in play late in the second half.
Jaramillo's game-winner came after Denver had several chances to take the lead in the final 20 minutes of regulation. Denver's Sam Garza had a pair of opportunities, but Disbennett stood his ground to keep the game scoreless. On one scoring attempt, Disbennett raced out and intercepted a ball off Garza's foot. Earlier in the half, Disbennett corralled a Luke Jackson chance when we came in all alone near the top of the box.
Both teams had several chances in the first half. With 28 minutes left in the opening stanza, Denver's Jarod Stigall collected a loose ball after a SLU giveaway and fired just wide past the far post. A minute later, Leon Abravanel headed a shot off a nice cross, but SLU Disbennett was in good position to make the save.
Denver keeper Joe Willis made four saves in the first half. He stood his ground on a shot by Kyle Patterson and a header from Jaramillo, and cleared away a pair of shots from Barklage. With about 10 minutes left in the half, Barklage ripped a shot from roughly 27 yards that was destined for the top-right corner, but the ball sailed just wide.
The teams each mustered 16 shots, and Saint Louis held a 9-3 advantage in corner kicks. Willis registered six saves for the Pioneers.
The Billikens are back in action next Saturday when they host Missouri State during Homecoming Weekend. Kick-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. at Hermann Stadium.
