ST. LOUIS – For the first time in 41 years, the SIUE men's soccer team can lay claim to the Joseph Carenza, Sr. Trophy. The Cougars will take the Bronze Boot to Edwardsville after a 2-0 win in the 40th all-time meeting between SIUE and Saint Louis in men's soccer.
More than 8,500 fans turned out to CITYPARK for the return of the rivalry game to a neutral site in downtown St. Louis for the first time since 1985. SIUE improved to 3-0-0 to start the season.
"I am ecstatic for our players," SIUE Head Coach Cale Wassermann said. "This is a group that has battled a lot of adversity the last couple of years. They have put in a lot of work and a lot of blood, sweat and tears. That is a good SLU team and this is a great rivalry."
Saint Louis, which was ranked 15th in the United Soccer Coaches poll, dropped to 1-2-0.
Following a scoreless first half, Mitchell Murphy got the Cougars on the board in the 50th minute when he redirected a cross from Andres Delascio in the bottom of the Billiken goal.
Nic Muench scored the first goal of his SIUE career in the 73rd beating SLU goalkeeper Jeremi Abonnel near post with a shot from 15 yards out.
"Both teams were quiet at halftime; it was a little bit of a feeling-out period," Wassermann said. "We came out a little more dynamic in the final third after halftime."
SIUE's last win in the series came October 29, 1982-also a 2-0 win.
"I was born in 1983," Wassermann said. "It was an amazing moment to be up there with Chris Carenza (whose father's name is on the trophy). He's a special part of our program and to get the trophy back in our locker room is a special thing.
"St. Louis CITY S.C. has been great from day one for this community," Wassermann continued. "For us to be able to come here with the momentum that they have created…It was a special opportunity for us to come here tonight. If we can keep playing here it will be special for the players, but for the community as well."
For the game, the Billikens outshot the Cougars 14-6. Both teams had three shots on goal. SIUE goalkeeper Sam Gomez turned away two shots to record his second career shutout.
The Cougars next travel to Kansas City to take on the Roos Frirday night.
