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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – No. 4 Indiana scored in the seventh minute and withstood a frantic Billiken attack in the second half to post a 1-0 victory Wednesday at IU’s Bill Armstrong Stadium.
The Billikens, who came into the game ranked 16th in the country, fall to 2-1-1. Indiana improves to 4-0-1. It was the second top-five opponent of the season for the Bills, who defeated No. 5 SMU earlier this year.
The Hoosiers’ Collins Oduro provided the game’s only goal at the 6:06 mark. He fired from the top of the box to the opposite post. It was the first goal allowed by the Billikens this season.
Saint Louis had the better of play, and scoring chances, the rest of the way. The Billikens outshot the Hoosiers 13-8 and had a 5-3 edge in corner kicks.
The best chances for the Bills came in a wild stretch midway through the second half. There was a ball loose on the goal line that had to be cleared by an Indiana defender. Video review of the play confirmed that the ball was just inches from a game-tying goal.
The Billikens stayed on the attack. A shot by Jackson Delkus was saved, and a scramble ensued in the box. The ball found its way to Andrew Heckenlaible who fired one off the crossbar. Later, Theo Franca had a chance, but his shot was saved by Indiana keeper Holden Brown, who finished with four saves.
Saint Louis returns to action on Sunday night when it hosts SIUE in the annual Bronze Boot math. Game time at Hermann Stadium is 6 p.m.
