(Courtesy Saint Louis Athletics)
No. 6 Saint Louis used two second-half goals from senior forward Robert Kristo to post a 2-0 win over Central Arkansas Saturday night at Hermann Stadium in front of a Homecoming crowd of 5,487.
It was the fifth win in a row for the Billikens, who improve to 7-1. Central Arkansas dips to 2-5. The 5,487 who saw it represent the seventh-largest crowd in Hermann Stadium history.
“It was pretty even in the first 45 minutes, and our guys knew there was another gear they needed and they found it in the second half,” SLU head coach Mike McGinty said. “There is no question that Kristo was the difference maker for us tonight.”
Kristo came off the bench to start the second half. His first goal came in the 58th minute. Francisco Vizcaino sent a ball ahead to Marco Heskamp. Heskamp crossed it over to Kristo, who rifled a shot into the left side for the eventual game winner.
After the Billikens had a goal by Kingsley Bryce disallowed due to an off-sides call, Kristo scored again in the 80th minute. After the UCA goalkeeper punched clear a cross, Heskamp sent a ball into the box that Kristo redirected into the back of the net.
For the season, Kristo leads the team with six goals. He has 33 tallies in his career.
SLU keeper Sascha Otte made four saves for his fifth shutout of the season.
The Billikens return to action Wednesday, Oct. 1, when they travel to Bloomington, Ind., to face the Indiana Hoosiers.
