Saint Louis Survives Late SIUE Rally to Claim 2-1 Victory
Ranked Billikens Build Two-Goal Cushion Before Weathering Dramatic Finish at Home
ST. LOUIS, MO – No. 16 Saint Louis weathered a frantic finish to edge SIUE 2-1 on Saturday evening, as the Billikens' second-half surge proved just enough to overcome a determined late push from the visiting Cougars.
The opening 45 minutes belonged to the goalkeepers, with both sides struggling to find the clinical touch in front of goal despite creating numerous opportunities. Saint Louis controlled possession and territorial advantage, outshooting SIUE 8-4 in the first half, but Noah Scheidweiler stood resolute between the posts for the visitors. The SIUE goalkeeper made three crucial saves, including a spectacular diving stop in the 33rd minute that preserved the scoreless deadlock heading into the break.
Saint Louis manager made tactical adjustments at halftime, introducing fresh legs including Andrew Heckenlaible and Carlos Leatherman, moves that would prove instrumental in shifting the match's momentum. The Billikens' persistence paid dividends in the 57th minute when Xavi O'Neil broke the deadlock with a precisely placed right-footed effort into the bottom right corner, assisted by Heckenlaible's intelligent through ball that split the SIUE defense.
The home side doubled their advantage just eight minutes later through Theo Franca, who capitalized on a defensive miscommunication to rifle an unassisted strike past Scheidweiler from close range. The Brazilian's clinical finish appeared to put the match beyond doubt, with Saint Louis looking comfortable in their 2-0 cushion.
However, SIUE refused to surrender, maintaining their attacking intent despite the deficit. The Cougars' persistence nearly paid off in the 63rd minute when Ben Perkins rattled the crossbar with a thunderous effort that had Jeremi Abonnel beaten in the Saint Louis goal.
The visitors' breakthrough finally arrived in the 86th minute through Evan Howard, who rose majestically to power home a header from Hugo Cornish's corner kick delivery. The towering center-back's perfectly timed run and clinical finish set up a nerve-wracking finale for the home supporters.
Saint Louis faced intense pressure in the dying moments as SIUE pushed desperately for an equalizer. Ethan Hackenberg came agonizingly close in the 89th minute, forcing Abonnel into a spectacular save to preserve the narrow advantage. The French goalkeeper's heroics proved crucial as the Billikens held firm through four minutes of stoppage time.
The statistical battle remained closely contested throughout, with Saint Louis marginally edging the shot count 15-12 while both teams created quality chances. The Billikens' superior conversion rate ultimately proved decisive, as they made their opportunities count when it mattered most.
Disciplinary issues plagued both sides in the second half, with Carlos Leatherman and Drake Fournier receiving yellow cards for Saint Louis, while SIUE's Daniel Murray was cautioned in the first half for unsporting behavior.
The victory showcased Saint Louis's resilience and tactical flexibility, particularly their ability to make impactful substitutions that changed the game's complexion. For SIUE, despite the defeat, their spirited comeback attempt demonstrated the character that could serve them well throughout the campaign.
Key Players
- Xavi O'Neil (Saint Louis) - Broke the deadlock with a composed right-footed finish and provided the spark that ignited the Billikens' second-half dominance - Noah Scheidweiler (SIUE) - Made six crucial saves to keep his team competitive, including several spectacular stops that prevented a larger deficit - Evan Howard (SIUE) - Scored a towering header to give the Cougars hope and led their defensive efforts throughout the match