Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Tie No. 4 Saint Louis, 1-1
8/30/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 30, 2004
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Northwestern played Saint Louis University -- ranked fourth in the preseason NSCAA national poll -- to a 1-1 regulation tie in an exhibition men's soccer match Saturday night before 1,265 fans at Robert R. Hermann Stadium.
Each team scored on its first shot in the first half. Will John put the Billikens on top in the fourth minute when he headed home a 10-yarder off junior midfielder Danny Wynn's serve from the left flank. Northwestern countered in the seventh minute when Will Nicholas connected on a 12-yard header off John Carlstedt's serve.
Northwestern had the better of the play in the early portion of the second half, but the momentum swung back to Saint Louis when veteran midfielders John DiRaimondo and Alex Matteson returned to the match in the 63rd minute. Billiken keeper Pat Disbennett had to be alert to prevent an own goal when a loose ball in front of the SLU goal glanced off defender Mo Benne.
The Bills had the best opportunity in the second half in the 73rd minute, when NU keeper Brian Heckenbach saved Matteson's 12-yard drive. The rebound went directly to DiRaimondo, whose 10-yard shot to the far post was cleared away by Wildcats defender Brad Napper.
NU forward Gerardo Alvarez was dangerous throughout the second half and had a game-high four shots. His curving 20-yard shot slammed off the outside of the left post in the 75th minute.
Northwestern outshot the Bills 10-9, but Saint Louis had an 8-5 edge on corners. SLU's Jeff Sackman and Disbennett combined for five saves, while NU's Heckenbach and Justin Pines combined to make four stops.
MATCH SUMMARY
Score by Half
Northwestern 1 0 - 1
#4 Saint Louis 1 0 - 1
SLU - Will John (Danny Wynn), 3:23
NU - Will Nicholas (John Carlstedt), 6:29
Shots: NU 10, Saint Louis 9
Corners: Saint Louis 8, NU 5
Saves: Saint Louis 5 (Sackman 1, Disbennett 4), NU 5 (Pines 1, Heckenbach 3, Team 1)
Fouls: NU 12, Saint Louis 10
