Story Links
Sept. 12, 2004
SAINT LOUIS, MO. – The No. 11 ranked University of Virginia men’s soccer team suffered its first loss of the 2004 season after falling to the No. 8 ranked Saint Louis Billikens by the score of 2-1 in the 2004 Saint Louis Nike Classic at the Billikens’ Robert R. Hermann Stadium. UVa trailed SLU by the score of 2-0 in the second half and cut Saint Louis’ lead to 2-1 on a goal by Matt Oliver. However, the Cavaliers were unable to pull any close to the Billikens and came up short in the one-goal loss.
After nearly playing a scoreless first half of soccer, Saint Louis scored two goals in the final five minutes of the first half to take a 2-0 lead into the locker rooms at the break. The Billikens’ Will John scored back-to-back goals for the Billikens at the 40:47 and 44:09 marks to break a scoreless tie and gave SLU a two-goal advantage. John’s second goal proved to be the eventual game-winner. Both of his goals were set up by teamm ate John DiRaimondo.
Trailing 2-0 to start the second half, the Cavaliers wasted no time making a comeback run and cut Saint Louis’ lead to 2-1 just 1:27 into the second period on Oliver’s goal at the 46:27 mark. UVa’s Hunter Freeman set up Oliver’s scoring opportunity when he delivered a feed to Oliver that he headed into goal to make it a one-goal match. However, UVa was unable to counter with the equalizing goal and dropped their first game of the season.
The Cavaliers’ Ryan Burke made a game-high five saves in goal for UVa in the loss, while Saint Louis’ Pat Disbennett made three saves for the Billikens in the victory.
UVa finished third in the four-team tournament with a 1-1-0 record in the event. The Cavaliers’ Burke and Freeman each were named to the 2004 Saint Louis Nike Classic.
With the loss, Virginia’s record falls to 3-1-0 overall. The win improves Saint Louis’ record to 3-1-0 on the season.
The Cavaliers will return to action on Friday, September 17th when UVa travels to Winston-Salem, N.C. to dive into Atlantic Coast Conference action against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Virginia will face Wake Forest at 7:00 PM at Spry Soccer Stadium on the WFU campus in the ACC-opening match for both schools.
Scoring 1 2 FVirginia (3-1-0) 0 1 1Saint Louis (3-1-0) 2 0 2
Goals: Saint Louis 2 - John @ 40:47 (DiRaimondo), John @ 44:09 (DiRaimondo).Virginia 1 - Oliver @ 46:27 (Freeman).Shots: Saint Louis 13, Virginia 11.Corner Kicks: Saint Louis 7, Virginia 3.Saves: Virginia 5, Saint Louis 3.Fouls: Virginia 22, Saint Louis 13.Offside: Saint Louis 2, Virginia 1.Cautions: Virginia 3 - Colaluca, Littlefield, Barlow.Saint Louis - none.Attendance: 1,306.
— UVa —