Aug. 26, 2009
What's on Tap: Saint Louis plays its second and final men's soccer exhibition tilt of the preseason Wednesday, Aug. 26, against Memphis at Echles Field. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
Following the Action: Gametracker for Wednesday's match can be accessed at www.slubillikens.com. All Billiken exhibition and regular-season home games are video streamed live through Billiken All-Access at www.slubillikens.com. Subscriptions are available for $79.95 annually or $9.95 a month. In addition to the games, fans can view player interviews, highlights and much more at no additional charge. GameTracker is again available free of charge in 2009. KSLU, the campus radio station at SLU, provides live audio of select Billiken athletic events at kslu.slu.edu.
Half-Century Team: As part of Saint Louis University's celebration of the "First 50 Years" of SLU soccer, fans will have an opportunity to choose the Billiken Half-Century Team, a roster comprised of 12 offensive players, eight defensive players, two goalkeepers and two coaches. Online voting is available at www.slubillikens.com. The 24 Billikens named to the team will be recognized, along with the more than 450 SLU men's soccer alumni, at the Clemson match Saturday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m.
For Tickets: Tickets for all men's soccer home games at Robert R. Hermann Stadium may be purchased at the ticket gate, by phone at (314) 977-4SLU or online at www.slubillikens.com. Prices for single-game tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for youth. Groups of 20 or more receive discounted tickets for $3 apiece. Students with a valid SLU ID card receive free admission.
In the Polls: In preseason rankings, the Billikens come in at No. 21 in the NSCAA coaches' poll and No. 24 in the CollegeSoccerNews.com poll. Also ranked are the following Billiken opponents: No. 3/6 Akron, No. 14/12 Tulsa and No. RV/18 Dayton. The Billikens also appear at No. 22 in the SoccerTimes.com coaches' poll.
About the Billikens: The Billikens, who opened the exhibition season with a 2-0 home victory against Missouri State last Saturday, return six starters and 15 total letterwinners from last year's club that finished 12-5-5 overall and 6-3-0 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. SLU qualified for its third straight NCAA Tournament and topped Drake 1-0 in the first round at Hermann Stadium. The 2008 season came to an end following a 2-0 defeat at Indiana in the second round.
Recapping the Missouri State Match: The Billikens received a goal and an assist from senior Jimmy Holmes and sophomore Ross Kaufman and freshman Tim Ream and Roach then connected with Holmes for an insurance marker in the 74th minute to deliver the 2-0 victory. A total of 19 Billikens saw playing time, including 12 newcomers.
Scouting Memphis: The Tigers, who topped Christian Brothers 3-0 in their exhibition opener last Sunday, feature just six upperclassmen on the 2009 squad. Memphis returns nine players who saw extensive playing time during the 2008 season. Leading the way will be seniors Rick Alleman, Brian Farrell and Michael Goodlett, as well as sophomore Parker Duncan, last season's leading scorer.
Series History: This is the second game of a home-and-home exhibition series between Memphis and Saint Louis, with the Billikens claiming last year's contest 1-0 at Hermann Stadium. The Billikens hold a 15-5-1 series advantage against the Tigers in regular-season play.
On the Offensive: Seniors Jimmy Holmes (nine career goals) also figures to be a key returning player who will contribute on the offensive side of the ball.
Getting Defensive: Senior All-Region performers Tim Ream and Rob Viviano return to a defense that ranked as one of the best in the nation. Last season, the Billikens led the Atlantic 10 Conference and ranked in the top 30 nationally in goals against average (0.76). In addition, the Billikens led the league in fewest goals allowed (18) and shutouts (11). Senior midfielders Josh Aranda and James Jaramillo, as well as sophomore Alex Johnston, also saw extensive playing time in the defensive third a year ago.
In the Nets: Perhaps one of the biggest competitions in preseason camp is occuring in goal. The Billikens return senior Ross Kaufman, who played the majority of the 2006 and 2007 campaigns and boasts a 22-5-3 overall record and a 0.73 goals against average. He is being challenged by U-18 U.S. National Team pool player Mark Pais, who made a pair of nice saves Saturday night against Missouri State.
Transfer Time: Stephen Bortolon transferred into the program from St. Bonaventure last season and should see time in the midfield this year.
Drawing Praise: Saint Louis' 15-player incoming class was ranked 10th by Soccer America and 16th by CollegeSoccerNews.com. The Bills also placed a league-high four players on the Atlantic 10 Conference 2009 preseason All-Rookie team: Benny Estes, Nick Maglasang, Mark Pais and Alex Sweetin. Maglasang and Sweetin were tabbed as two of "100 Freshmen to Watch in 2009" by CollegeSoccerNews.com.
Dan's Day: Ninth-year head coach Dan Donigan enters the season with a 103-35-23 career record. His .711 win percentage makes him the fifth-winningest active head coach in the country. Donigan has led the Bills to the NCAA Tournament in six of his eight seasons at the helm. In the last three seasons combined, Donigan's Billikens have posted a 35-11-11 overall mark and a 22-4-1 ledger in A-10 regular-season games.
On the Sidelines: For the first time in school history, the Billikens will benefit from a full-time goalkeeper coach as Tim Kelly was brought on board this summer. Dave Beck returns for his fourth season, his first as the lead assistant, and former Billiken Brian Grazier is in his first season as senior graduate manager. In addition, U.S. National Team assistant coach Mike Sorber is again serving as a volunteer assistant coach.
Looking Ahead: The Billikens open their regular season Tuesday, Sept. 1, when they host New Mexico at Hermann Stadium in a 7 p.m. kick. Saint Louis then hits the road for five straight before returning to its home pitch Sept. 26 versus Tulsa.
