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(Courtesy Saint Louis Athletics)
The third-ranked Saint Louis men’s soccer team defeated St. Bonaventure 3-0 this afternoon at Robert R. Hermann Stadium. It was the Atlantic 10 Conference opener for both squads.
With the win, the Billikens improve to 8-2 overall and 1-0 in the league. St. Bonaventure dips to 1-6 and 0-1 in the A-10.
The Billikens got goals from three seniors – Kingsley Bryce, Robert Kristo and Anthony Manning. The win improves SLU’s unbeaten streak at Hermann Stadium to 15.
“We played well,” SLU head coach Mike McGinty said. “We had a variety of guys contribute and get us some good looks. Anytime you can start conference play with a 3-0 win, you take it.”
Bryce started the scoring in the 13th minute. After a buildup on the right side, he buried a Francisco Vizcaino cross into the back of the net for his second goal of the year.
Kristo scored his eighth goal of the season to make it 2-0 in the 25th minute. On a restart, David Graydon lofted a perfect ball that Kristo headed in. It was the fifth game in a row in which Kristo has scored.
The final Billikens’ tally came on a penalty kick in the 62nd minute after Bryce was fouled by SBU in the box. Manning converted the PK for his second goal of the season and the final 3-0 margin.
SLU fired a season-high 19 shots. Freshman keeper Sascha Otte made three saves for his sixth shutout of the season.
The Billikens play their first road A-10 games of the season next weekend, traveling to Davidson (Friday, Oct. 10) and George Mason (Sunday, Oct. 12).
