(Courtesy Saint Louis Athletics)
Saint Louis senior forward Kingsley Bryce scored in the 87th minute to lift the Billikens to a thrilling 1-0 victory against Rhode Island Sunday in Atlantic 10 Conference men’s soccer action at Hermann Stadium.
The Billikens keep pace in the A-10 and improve to 11-3-2 overall and 4-1-2 in the league. Rhode Island, which is in first place in the conference, moves to 10-4-2 overall and 6-1 in the A-10. The Rams saw their nation-best 11-game unbeaten streak come to an end.
“Rhode Island came into the game in first place and undefeated in the league for a reason, they are a good team and this was a good game,” SLU head coach Mike McGinty said. “We created and had quality chances. It was fitting that Kingsley ended it with a goal like that – he kept scrapping and stayed with it.
“It is gratifying to get a win on Senior Day,” McGinty continued. “I am proud of these seniors. They were our first recruiting class here. They have done an excellent job and have put our program in a great position.”
SLU Starters – GK: Sascha Otte. D: Tyler David, Max Karcher, Anthony Manning. MF: Marco Heskamp, David Graydon, Raymond Lee, William Hidalgo, Filip Pavisic. F: Kingsley Bryce, Robert Kristo.
SLU Subs – Francisco Vizcaino (Hidalgo), second half. Julian Gieseke (Manning), second half.
SLU Goals – Bryce, 86:04.
The game was scoreless until the final few minutes. Saint Louis, which outshot URI 13-5 and had an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks, put together a late flurry for the eventual game winner.
SLU’s goal was set up after back-to-back corner kicks. After playing the second corner short, Max Karcher sent a long ball into the box. Tyler David headed it directly to Bryce, and his first shot was saved by the URI keeper. Bryce pounced on the rebound and buried it for his fourth goal the season and the Billiken victory.
Sascha Otte recorded his 10th shutout of the season despite not making a save. URI’s lone shot on frame was cleared off the line by David.
The Billikens conclude the regular season next Friday when they take on VCU in Richmond, Va. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m. (CT). The A-10 Championship in Richmond will be played the following week.
