ST. LOUIS – Saint Louis junior forward Robert Kristo scored twice as the Billikens rolled to a 4-1 win over Saint Joseph's in Atlantic 10 Conference men's soccer action Sunday afternoon at Robert R. Hermann Stadium.
With the win, SLU (10-4-2, 4-0-2 A-10) remains tied with George Mason atop the league standings entering the final weekend of play. The Billikens close out the regular-season next weekend at Rhode Island and UMass.
Prior to the match, seniors Adnan Gabeljic, Jon Roeckle, Nick Shackelford and Alex Sweetin were recognized as part of the Billikens' Senior Day celebrations. All four played a part in the win. Gabeljic scored, Roeckle and Sweetin registered assists, and Shackelford made one save and earned his 35th career win in goal to help the Billikens keep pace in the A-10 race.
"This was a nice win," SLU head coach Mike McGinty said. "It's been a long week after being on the road the last three games, so everyone was excited to get back to Hermann Stadium where we haven't lost a game all year. It's a good feeling to get this win for our seniors. One of our goals coming into the season was to win the A-10 regular-reason, and we are in a position to do that entering the last weekend of play."
Junior Raymond Lee put the Billikens on the board in the 14th minute. He settled a long-flighted ball from Anthony Manning and took advantage of a misplay by the SJU keeper to score his fourth of the season.
Saint Joseph's (3-8-5, 1-5 A-10) equalized in the 35th minute on a goal by Eric Jordan.
SLU responded less than 10 minutes later when Kristo scored his first of two goals, the eventual game winner. He had the ball on the endline and beat several SJU defenders one-on-one before scoring at the 43:36 mark.
It was all Billikens in the second half. Kristo headed home a service from Sweetin in the 54th minute. Gabeljic completed the scoring when he scored in the 84th minute off an assist from Roeckle.
The Billikens out-shot SJU 11-6 and had an 8-0 advantage in corner kicks.
Saint Louis faces Rhode Island Friday, Nov. 8, at 6 p.m. (CT) and UMass Sunday, Nov. 10, at noon (CT). The A-10 Championship is set for Nov. 14-17 at Baujan Field at the University of Dayton.
