Saint Louis Claims A-10 Championship in Penalty Shootout Thriller
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Saint Louis captured the 2025 Atlantic 10 Men's Soccer Championship in the most dramatic fashion imaginable Sunday, outlasting third-ranked Dayton 5-4 in a penalty shootout after 110 minutes of championship-caliber soccer ended 1-1 at Hermann Stadium.
The top-ranked Billikens claimed the conference crown before 3,495 electrified fans, with goalkeeper Jeremi Abonnel emerging as the hero. The senior made a crucial save on Dayton's opening penalty from Braden Seel, then remarkably stepped up to convert his own spot kick as Saint Louis sealed the championship with flawless shooting from the spot.
The match itself delivered everything expected from a championship final between the A-10's top two seeds. Dayton controlled the opening period, with Martin Bakken rattling the right post in the 11th minute during a dominant spell that saw the Flyers earn five corners in the first ten minutes alone. The visitors' territorial dominance suggested an upset was brewing on the Billikens' home turf.
Miles Bonham gave Dayton the lead in the 34th minute, capitalizing on a perfectly executed set piece. After Paul Yeboah drew a foul just outside the penalty area, Dren Dobruna delivered a dangerous free kick into the box. Bonham timed his run to perfection, meeting the service with a crisp left-footed finish low to Abonnel's right. The goal rewarded Dayton's aggressive approach and put the underdogs ahead at the break.
Saint Louis emerged from halftime transformed. Coach Kevin Kalish's tactical adjustments shifted momentum dramatically, with the Billikens pressing higher and finding dangerous spaces. The pressure mounted relentlessly in the second half, with Abonnel's opposite number Gavin Krenecki forced into a sharp save on Jackson Delkus in the 48th minute, followed by an even better stop to deny Theo Franca in the 70th minute.
The equalizer arrived in the 81st minute through sheer persistence. Franca's initial effort forced Krenecki into a diving save, but the Dayton goalkeeper couldn't secure possession. Franca pounced on the rebound with predatory instinct, hammering home from close range to send Hermann Stadium into delirium and force extra time.
Both overtime periods featured end-to-end action befitting a championship final. Maxim Scordo tested Abonnel with dangerous efforts in both extra sessions, while Adebayo Dikko nearly won it for the Flyers with a low shot that required another excellent save from the Saint Louis goalkeeper. At the other end, Krenecki matched his counterpart's heroics, denying Franca yet again and preserving the stalemate through 110 minutes.
The penalty shootout provided the ultimate test of nerve. After Abonnel's save on Seel's opening attempt gave Saint Louis the advantage, both teams converted with remarkable composure. In the most memorable moment of all, Abonnel himself stepped up to take the Billikens' fourth penalty, calmly slotting home to extend his team's lead. Tanner Anderson then sealed the championship with the decisive fifth kick, sparking wild celebrations.
The match statistics reflected its competitive balance: Dayton finished with 15 shots to Saint Louis's 11, with both teams registering five on target and earning six corners apiece. But on this afternoon, the numbers mattered far less than the final outcome—Saint Louis had claimed the A-10 Championship in unforgettable fashion.
Championship Heroes:
Jeremi Abonnel (Saint Louis) – Saved the opening penalty, scored his own, and made four crucial saves in regulation
Theo Franca (Saint Louis) – Scored the equalizer and tormented Dayton's defense throughout
Gavin Krenecki (Dayton) – Four outstanding saves kept the Flyers in contention until the shootout
Miles Bonham (Dayton) – Clinical first-half finish and constant threat in Dayton's attack
For Saint Louis, the championship crown caps an exceptional season and validates their top ranking. For Dayton, the heartbreak of a shootout loss cannot diminish their remarkable performance against the conference's best team. But on this November afternoon, the A-10 trophy belongs to the Billikens—won the hardest way possible.
Final: Saint Louis 1(5), Dayton 1(4) - Penalties