ST. LOUIS - The 11th-ranked Saint Louis Billikens tied No. 3 Northwestern 0-0 tonight in non-conference men's soccer action at Robert R. Hermann Stadium. SLU keeper Pat Disbennett made three saves for the Billikens.
SLU, which ranges from No. 3 (Soccer America) to No. 11 (NSCAA) in various polls, remains unbeaten at 4-0-4. Northwestern also remains undefeated at 8-0-2 on the season.
"I'm proud of my team's effort, because Northwestern has a great defensive unit that has allowed just one goal this season," SLU head coach Dan Donigan said.
Both teams were disciplined in their own end in a first half that resulted in one shot and a combined four corner kicks. The Billikens had the first chance 15 minutes in when Kyle Patterson sent a ball into the box for Kyle Hayes, but a Northwestern defender cleared the ball away before Hayes could get a foot on the ball.
Later in the half, Patterson whipped another ball from the right side to the far post for James Jaramillo, but the charging SLU attacker missed the ball by inches.
Northwestern put up the first shot of the game with just six minutes left in the first half when Mark Blades sent one high. Northwestern had a 3-1 advantage in corners in the first session, with Pat Disbennett defending the first two and Calum Angus clearing the third.
It was much the same in the second half with both clubs trading chances. With 34 minutes left in regulation, Tim Ream crossed a ball to Patterson who chipped the ball high and off the crossbar.
Brian Usinger had the first shot on goal with 22 minutes left in the second half. From 25 yards, he rifled a shot right to Disbennett who knocked it down and corralled for his first save. In the final minutes, Disbennett made a quick dive to his left to stop a Matt Eliason shot and keep the game scoreless.
"They pressured us," Disbennett said. "They have quality forwards who play combinations and they got by us a couple of time. Luckily, we weathered the storm and got through it. The game could have gone either way. We are good defensively, and we need to take advantage of these games against ranked opponents and get some wins."
In the first overtime, Saint Louis came out of the gates quickly and orchestrated a corner early on. Northwestern eventually cleared the ball after a 20 second skirmish in the box.
Northwestern answered with a good chance a minute later when Eliason had a header trickle just wide of the far post. Later, freshman Alex Johnston cleared a Drew Ratner shot off the line to keep the game scoreless.
In the second OT, defender Tim Ream winded up and let loose a 35-yard screamer that missed high and wide. With four minutes left, Northwestern built-up a play toward the goal, but they were whistled off-side.
SLU had perhaps the best chance of the night in the 109th minute. Brandon Barklage poked a ball to Dado Hamzagic racing down the right side, but Hamzagic's shot landed in the side of the net.
In all, Northwestern out-shot the Billikens 10-6 and managed a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks.
Saint Louis returns to action Saturday when the fifth-ranked Creighton Bluejays come to Hermann Stadium. Game time is slated for 7 p.m.
