ST. LOUIS – A pair of second half goals lifted 16th-ranked Saint Louis to a 2-1 win over SIUE men's soccer Sunday night at Hermann Stadium. The win ended a two-game streak for the Cougars in the series and sent the Bronze Boot back to the Billikens.
SIUE slipped to 1-3 while Saint Louis improved to 3-1-1.
The first half ended scoreless, despite quality chances for both sides.
Evan Howard had a clear shot in the 24th minute and he took the chance from straight on. His low drive was saved by Billiken goalkeeper Jeremi Abonnel
SLU nearly took the lead in the in the 39th minute when Abdoul Karim Pare unleashed a shot from the left side of the box forcing SIUE keeper Noah Scheidweiler to make a sprawling save to his right.
The Billikens broke through in the 58th minute when Andrew Heckenlaible streaked down the left side, cutting into the box before sliding a pass in front of goal. Xavi O'Neil scored at the back post under Scheidweiler.
The Cougars nearly equalized just six minutes later when Ben Perkins banged a shot off the underside of the crossbar from seven yards out, only to have the ball come down outside of the goal.
Saint Louis doubled the advantage in the 66th minute when Theo Franca broke down the right side. Scheidweiler came out to the top of the box, making the initial stop, before tumbling to the ground. The ball got by him and Franca was able to slide into the empty net from the right edge of the box.
SIUE's lone goal came from Evan Howard in the 87th minute. Elliott Forestier slid a pass wide to the left side to Hugo Cornish. Cornish sent a cross in front of the goal where Howard headed home to trim the lead back to 2-1.
Saint Louis outshot SIUE 17-9 overall and held an 8-4 advantage in shots on goal. Howard and Ethan Hackenberg each had three shots in the game. Howard had two on goal.
The Cougars will play three of their next four games at home in Edwardsville beginning with a matchup against Loyola Chicago Thursday at Korte Stadium.
