SIUE scored in the first half and held on for a 1-0 victory over the Saint Louis Billikens on Sunday in the annual Bronze Boot match at Ralph Korte Stadium.
Ryley Gibbs headed home the game’s only goal in the 37th minute, finishing a spun pass from Daniel Murray after the Billikens failed to fully clear the ball. The Cougars carried the 1-0 lead into halftime and withstood a late SLU push to secure the win in front of a home-opener crowd of 1,947.
Saint Louis created several chances throughout the match, putting five of its nine shots on goal, but the Billikens could not beat SIUE goalkeeper Ioannis Koupepides. Koupepides made five saves for his first shutout as a Cougar. SLU outshot SIUE 9-7 overall and held a 5-3 edge in shots on target. Billikens keeper Lucas McPartlin made two saves.
SLU appeared to equalize two seconds after the final whistle when a cross into the box was headed in, but the play was reviewed and ruled to have occurred after time expired.
The loss drops Saint Louis to 2-2-1. SIUE improves to 1-3 and claims the Joseph Carenza Sr. Trophy — the Bronze Boot — for the third time in four years.
The Billikens return to action Saturday, Sept. 12, against nationally ranked Akron at Hermann Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The SLU women’s team faces nationally ranked Kansas earlier that day at 3:30 p.m.
