ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI — Saint Louis outlasted Kentucky 2-1 in a grueling double-overtime contest on Thursday, advancing deeper into the NCAA Tournament with a dramatic finish before 1,325 spectators. Jack DiMaria's goal in the 103rd minute, assisted by Carlos Leatherman, secured the Billikens' victory after the teams battled through regulation and two extra periods in a match that tested both squads' endurance and composure.
The Wildcats struck first when Agustin Lopez found the net in the 37th minute, giving Kentucky an early advantage. However, Saint Louis responded with relentless attacking pressure, eventually equalizing through DiMaria in the 85th minute to force overtime. The goal came after Kentucky's Kevin Larsson received a red card for unsporting conduct, leaving the Wildcats undermanned during the final stretch of regulation.
Saint Louis controlled possession throughout much of the match, outshooting Kentucky 14-4 overall and 8-3 on target. The Billikens' attacking prowess was evident in their 11 corner kicks compared to Kentucky's four, creating numerous opportunities that finally paid dividends in the second overtime period. Saint Louis goalkeeper made two crucial saves to preserve the result, while Kentucky's keeper recorded six stops in a losing effort.
The match's turning point came at the 82-minute mark when Larsson's second yellow card forced Kentucky to play with a numerical disadvantage. The midfielder had already received a caution in the 70th minute, and the subsequent dismissal shifted momentum decisively toward the hosts. Saint Louis capitalized on the advantage, intensifying their offensive approach and eventually breaking through in the extended periods.
Kentucky's disciplinary issues extended beyond Larsson's ejection. Marqes Muir and an unnamed player also received yellow cards during the contest, reflecting the physical nature of the encounter. The Wildcats' aggressive approach, while occasionally effective, ultimately proved costly as Saint Louis's superior fitness and tactical adjustments in overtime proved decisive.
DiMaria emerged as Saint Louis's most dangerous attacking threat, particularly in the second half and overtime. His movement in the box created problems for Kentucky's defense throughout the match, and his composure in front of goal during the decisive moment demonstrated the quality that has made him a consistent contributor for the Billikens this season.
The victory extends Saint Louis's recent success, as the team improved to 11-2-7 overall following wins over Davidson and a draw against Dayton in recent conference tournament play. Kentucky, meanwhile, suffered its second consecutive loss after drawing with Coastal Carolina and falling to UCF in recent competition, dropping to 10-4-5 on the season.
Saint Louis's ability to maintain pressure despite Kentucky's early goal showcased the team's resilience and tactical flexibility. The Billikens' depth proved advantageous, with multiple substitutions in the second half and overtime helping maintain intensity when fatigue typically sets in. Kentucky's reduced roster size following Larsson's ejection ultimately proved insurmountable against a Saint Louis side that refused to relent. St Louis now plays Indiana Hoosiers.