Aug. 26, 2009

MEMPHIS - Saint Louis yielded a pair of first-half goals in a 2-0 loss at Memphis Wednesday in a men's soccer exhibition match at Echles Field. The Billikens, ranked 21st in the NSCAA preseason coaches' poll, end the exhibition season 1-1.

"We were disorganized defensively in the first half in re-start situations, which led to Memphis scoring twice and ultimately costing us the game," Billiken head coach Dan Donigan said. "It was a different story in the second half, however, and I was pleased with they way we played in the second 45 minutes. We've seen both positives and negatives in the preseason so far, and we will sort out those negatives in the next six days and be ready to go against New Mexico."

SLU opens the 2009 season Tuesday, Sept. 1, when it hosts New Mexico at Robert R. Hermann Stadium. Game time is slated for 7 p.m.

Memphis scored on its first shot of the game in the fourth minute when J.J. Greer tallied on a Thomas Shannon throw-in. Later in the half, Andreas Guentner scored for the Tigers with Shannon initiating the scoring play on a free kick.

Meanwhile, the SLU attack could not get rolling in the first half. The Bills' only shot of the period came as time expired when freshman Alex Sweetin put a ball on frame that Memphis keeper Michael Goodlett turned aside.

Saint Louis, however, out-shot the Tigers 7-2 in the second half, but Goodlett posted a pair of saves to keep the Billikens off the board and secure the 2-0 victory.

Freshman Ross Kaufman played the second half and was not forced to make a save.