Goalkeeper Jeremi Abonnel made two decisive saves in the penalty shootout as Saint Louis defeated No. 11 Bryant 4-3 on penalties Sunday at Beirne Stadium, advancing in the NCAA Tournament after a dramatic 2-2 draw through 110 minutes. The victory sends the Billikens to the next round to face No. 14 Akron on Saturday, while ending Bryant's season in heartbreaking fashion.
Playing in front of 1,400 fans in a winner-take-all tournament clash, both teams battled through regulation and two overtime periods before Abonnel ultimately proved the difference from the spot, denying Caoimhin Mcconnell and Fermin Rodriguez to seal Saint Louis's advancement.
Quinten Blair gave Saint Louis an early lead in the 19th minute, capitalizing on a well-worked opportunity to put the visitors ahead. Bryant responded almost immediately, with Rodriguez equalizing in the 21st minute off assists from Paco Fernandez and Fernando Delgado in a frantic opening spell that set the tone for the marathon contest.
Muslim Umar's 44th-minute goal off a Jorge Veintimilla feed gave Bryant a 2-1 halftime advantage, but the lead proved temporary. Saint Louis earned a crucial penalty in the 56th minute after Enzo Carvalho was cautioned for unsporting conduct, and Blair stepped up to convert the spot kick and level the match at 2-2.
The equalizer shifted momentum as Saint Louis pressed for the winner throughout the second half. The Billikens created several dangerous chances that Bryant goalkeeper Augustine Boadi handled with composure, while the Bulldogs countered effectively to keep their tournament hopes alive. Neither team could break through before the final whistle, forcing overtime.
Two 15-minute extra periods saw both teams chase the decisive goal. Theo Franca tested Bryant's defense in the 91st minute, while Jack DiMaria forced a save from Boadi in the 104th. Bryant's Rodriguez saw his attempt sail wide in the 99th minute as fatigue mounted but neither side relented. With no breakthrough after 110 grueling minutes, the match proceeded to the dreaded penalty shootout.
The shootout began with successful conversions from both teams—Jaime Amaro for Bryant matched by Blair for Saint Louis, then Fernando Delgado answering DiMaria. The pivotal moment came in the third round when Abonnel dove to his right to deny Mcconnell, giving Saint Louis a crucial advantage. JC Cortez calmly converted to put the Billikens ahead 3-2.
Tiago Dias responded for Bryant to keep the Bulldogs alive, and Tanner Anderson answered for Saint Louis to make it 4-3. Facing elimination, Bryant sent Rodriguez back to the spot for the decisive fifth kick. Abonnel read it perfectly, diving left to parry Rodriguez's attempt and spark jubilant celebrations from the Saint Louis bench.
"In tournament play, these are the moments that define seasons," Saint Louis head coach noted after the match. Abonnel's heroics capped a performance that showcased the Billikens' resilience after twice falling behind and enduring nearly two hours of intense competition.
The match's physical intensity was reflected in multiple yellow cards, including cautions to Bryant's Mamadi Jiana (56th minute), Delgado (62nd), and Carvalho (55th). Two VAR reviews in the 68th and 86th minutes examined potential penalty incidents but resulted in no action, allowing the drama to build to its penalty shootout conclusion.
For Bryant, the loss ends a remarkable season at 17-3-3. The 11th-ranked Bulldogs created numerous chances throughout the contest, earning six corner kicks to Saint Louis's three, but couldn't capitalize when it mattered most. The season concludes with the agonizing reality of NCAA Tournament elimination via penalty kicks.
Saint Louis (13-2-8) advances to face No. 14 Akron on Saturday, December 6 at 1 p.m. in the next round. The winner will face the victor of No. 4 Maryland versus Washington, who meet simultaneously at 1 p.m. in the other semifinal matchup.
The Billikens' tournament run continues thanks to Abonnel's clutch performance and the team's unwavering determination through 110 minutes of scoreless overtime. After weathering Bryant's best efforts, Saint Louis now turns its attention to Akron with championship aspirations still intact.