ST. LOUIS — Saint Louis scored three times in the final nine minutes to pull away for a 4-0 victory over Loyola Chicago Saturday night at Robert R. Hermann Stadium, keeping the Billikens in the hunt for the A10 regular-season title.
The Billikens improved to 7-4-4 overall and 5-1-1 in A10 play with the shutout. Saint Louis outshot the Ramblers 24-4, including a 10-1 advantage in shots on goal, and held a 6-3 edge in corner kicks.
Saint Louis took the lead in the 20th minute on an own goal. Xavi O'Neil created the opportunity with a centering pass into the six-yard box that deflected off a Loyola Chicago defender and crossed the goal line to put the Billikens ahead 1-0.
The Billikens maintained that advantage through the first half as they generated 10 shots and forced four saves from Ramblers goalkeeper Max Ionita.
Saint Louis continued to pressure Loyola Chicago after halftime, but the breakthrough for a more comfortable lead came late in the match.
Tanner Anderson doubled the Billikens' advantage in the 82nd minute, finishing a sequence set up by Carlos Leatherman and Jack DiMaria. Anderson struck again in the 87th minute, converting a pass from DiMaria to make it 3-0.
Gershon Henry capped the scoring less than two minutes later, finding the net in the 88th minute off an assist from Luke Ponciroli for his first goal of the season.
Lucas McPartlin made one save to earn the shutout for Saint Louis, which limited Loyola Chicago to four shots and did not allow a shot on goal in the second half.
The victory keeps the Billikens within striking distance of first-place Duquesne entering the final week of A10 regular-season play. Saint Louis sits two points behind the Dukes, while Rhode Island remains in contention and could move ahead of the Billikens with a win at George Mason on Sunday.
Saint Louis closes the regular season next Saturday, traveling to Davidson for its A10 finale. The Wildcats enter the final week at 4-3-0 in conference play and have won two straight matches as they pursue a berth in the A10 Championship field.
