ST. LOUIS – The Bronze Boot is back in the hands of Saint Louis after the 16th-ranked Billikens defeated SIUE 2-1 Sunday in another thrilling game in the Bronze Boot series in front of 2,245 fans at Robert R. Hermann Stadium.

The Billikens (3-1-1) got second-half goals from Xavi O'Neil and Theo Franca to lift them to the win. Billiken keeper Jeremi Abonnel made three saves for the win in goal.

Andrew Heckenlaible got the assist on O'Neil's goal after a great run down the left side. He centered a ball through the box that O'Neil ran onto and buried into the net for the game's first score in the 58th minute.

Less than 10 minutes later, Theo Franca scored for the Bills with an unassisted goal in the 66th minute. He pounced on a rebound from his own blocked shot and slipped it into the open net for the eventual game-winning goal.

SIUE scored on an Evan Howard header in the 87th minute to make it interesting late, but the Bills held on for the hard-fought win.

The win improves the Billikens' record to 24-7-3 in the Bronze Boot series. SIUE had won the last two games of the series.

Saint Louis is back in action on Friday, Sept. 12, against nationally ranked Portland (5-0) at Hermann Stadium. First touch is set for 7 p.m. The Pilots have five-straight shutouts to start the year and have outscored their opponents 18-0 on the season.