SLU Men's Soccer Thread

[courtside]

On 10/20/2025 at 7:04 AM, courtside said:

SLU will be ranked 24th in the Top Drawer Soccer Poll this week. 

SLU is 16 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll this week. 

[Tom Sweeney]

Who has SLU received commitments from for the 2026 recruiting Class?

 

[courtside]

1 hour ago, Tom Sweeney said:

Who has SLU received commitments from for the 2026 recruiting Class?

 

That’s a work in progress. SLU returns 15 rotation players next year from this year’s team. They return 3 additional redshirt Freshman players. They have a handful of players that may receive an additional year of eligibility. SLU will also be active in the transfer portal. New roster limit is 28 which began this season affects new players. One other reserve player is retiring from soccer. 

[courtside]

On 10/19/2025 at 9:48 AM, courtside said:

 

 

Mirolslav Levkosky was also called up to U15 San Diego Camp. Ryan Cloninger also received a recent call up.

Sam Anderson, Eddie Niles, Blake Wilson Sam Harris, are all recent USYNT call ups from STL.

Kane Kraus, Owen Jorgensen Lorenzo Cornelius, have also been  local USYNT call ups this year. 

In the past SLU recruited Khi Joyner, Tyson Pearce, etc..

7 different STL players have received recent Women’s USYNT call ups as well. 

Men’s Soccer recruiting and Women’s Soccer recruiting are two very different things. Apples to oranges. 

Blake Wilson to U16 USYNT, L’Albir, Spain camp vs Sweden, Spain, Qatar. 

[Lord Elrond]

Just got a notice on my phone from Ticketmaster that the game against Blackburn has been cancelled, and they put that on the ticket that the game was cancelled. Nothing on the SLU website. What’s up on this? 

[courtside]

33 minutes ago, Lord Elrond said:

Just got a notice on my phone from Ticketmaster that the game against Blackburn has been cancelled, and they put that on the ticket that the game was cancelled. Nothing on the SLU website. What’s up on this? 

It’s supposed to rain Tuesday night and Wednesday. SLU is hosting 2 important games next weekend, a Women’s Soccer A10 conference tourney game, and, the final regular season A10 Men’s game. Blackburn also has a game the day before. 

The purpose of the game is to celebrate Seniors and players that don’t see the field as often. It’s a way to build momentum, and camaraderie on and off of the field for the rest of the season. 

SLU plays at Loyola today at 3pm in Rogers Park, Chicago. 

[courtside]

SLU 1 Loyola 1

Many teams play a 5-3-1 when down a player. SLU played a 4-3-2, 3-4-2, and a 4-1-3-1 at times during the game. It’s a little bit more aggressive approach, especially in the 2nd half, and, eventually they were rewarded for it. 

4-4-2 to begin the game for SLU. 3-6-1 for Loyola. Unavailable: Fournier, Easton, Sellers. 

SLU played Schramm as the lone defensive midfielder. It kept the back 4 but it moved Carlos and Jaeger higher on the outside. Pare and DiMaria tucked inside the middle with Franca. Delkus up top. 

SLU aggressively played for at least a draw adter getting down a goal late first half. Loyola was able to thread a central pass, then play a bal in space behind the defense. SLU couldn’t get a clean clear inside the 18. Carlos moved over to double Blair’s opponent. Have to get there and clear or the back post is left open. Loyola made that extra pass off of the double. 1-0. 

Rotation leaned towards SLU’s better defenders at each position as well as pace. 

It’s a game SLU likely wins without the red card. Needed at least a draw and SLU played well while down a player. Pare late equalizer was SLU pressure and winning 50/50 battles within the final third. Loyola couldn’t get a clear. He found the space, back to the goal, surrounded by 3 Loyola defenders. But he was quicker to the ball and turn. 1-1

SLU will be the top seed in the A10 Tourney. They will host all 3 conference tourney games as long as they keep winning. Still one important regular season game remaining vs Rhode Island. It helps NCAA Tourney at large positioning and RPI.  SLU holds the conference tiebreakers even with a loss and Davidson/Fordham wins. 

[Speyburn]

21 hours ago, Lord Elrond said:

Just got a notice on my phone from Ticketmaster that the game against Blackburn has been cancelled, and they put that on the ticket that the game was cancelled. Nothing on the SLU website. What’s up on this? 

It was mentioned in the Loyola game preview last week.

BLACKBURN GAME CANCELED

The Billikens' home game against Blackburn, originally scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 29, has been canceled.

[courtside]

SLU is 22 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll.

SLU is 25 in the Top Drawer Soccer Poll. O

[Lord Elrond]

On 10/26/2025 at 9:07 AM, Speyburn said:

It was mentioned in the Loyola game preview last week.

BLACKBURN GAME CANCELED

The Billikens' home game against Blackburn, originally scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 29, has been canceled.

This is why I have issues with the current Athletic Department, inattention to detail. The Blackburn game has been cancelled for days, yet it’s still on the calendar in the Billiken App right now. Inattention to detail.

[courtside]

SLU is 3-2-2 vs the RPI top 50. Strong non-conference schedule. VCU and Davidson are also top 59. George Mason and Fordham are not too far behind. 

[Bay Area Billiken]

https://atlantic10.com/news/2025/11/2/saint-louis-secures-mens-soccer-regular-season-title-and-top-seed-championship-bracket-announced.aspx

[Bay Area Billiken]

SLU's RPI is 30. 

[courtside]

2 hours ago, Bay Area Billiken said:

SLU's RPI is 30. 

In the conference tourney, OT wins count as wins, but PK wins count as ties. 

La Salle won’t help the RPI. Any other opponent after that besides St. Joseph’s would be fine for RPI. purposes. SLU has an opportunity to enhance its postseason positioning even more, by winning the conference tourney. 3 RPI top 50 wins, 2 RPI top 50 draws, and, the regular season title, are already strong points. 

[SLUBALLS]

Fair warning:  Riley Green concert at Chaifetz this Friday, doors open at 5:45 pm.  I imagine parking will be tough in the Olive garage for the men’s soccer game.  

[Pistol]

19 hours ago, Bay Area Billiken said:

SLU's RPI is 30. 

Crazy that the men and women have now crossed in the past few days. The men were at 17 a week ago. The women are now at 28.

[courtside]

7 minutes ago, Pistol said:

Crazy that the men and women have now crossed in the past few days. The men were at 17 a week ago. The women are now at 28.

Actually, it’s not.

The Women’s projected RPI has been posted here every week for many weeks. SLU has been on target with that. And, its preseason predicted end of season RPI was 17. Few surprises. They are 12-1-2 in their last 15 games. This includes 3 RPI top 75 wins and another draw in that stretch. 7 of their 8 non-conference opponents have sub 200 RPI’s.

SLU Men’s Soccer went from 17 to 30 because they have back to back draws vs non RPI top 100 teams. SLU Men’s Soccer will regain their RPI ground, as long as they win in the conference tourney. RPI Top 50 results and winning your league also matter To the NCAA, two additional SLU strengths.

There are also 347 Women’s D/1 Soccer programs. There are 212 Men’s Soccer programs. There is more volatility in the Men’s RPI. 

[courtside]

A10 Quarterfinals

SLU 2 LaSalle 0

………….

SLU’s RPI is 27

……………

La Salle 4-2-3-1

SLU 4-2-4

Unavailable: Fournier, Sellers

Available: Easton, Barnett (red card)

……………..

SLU switched to a 4-4-2 in the middle of the season. They did this to generate more offense with Franca and Tanner, who scored both of SLU’s goals. 

Having a 2nd 11, and having two separate sets of attacking players, mixed every game, gives SLU an advantage over other teams who don’t have it. And it keeps them in the game vs those that do have it. it’s very difficult to win at the highest levels with attacking players playing 90 minutes a game. SLU made this move a few years ago when Brian Wiese told Kevin Kalish that one of the biggest reasons why they won the national championship in 2019, was having a 2nd 11.

Recent changes to substitution affect strategy. Players may not re-enter in the same half. (I don’t care about re-entry as long as the clock is stopped when it happens.)

SLU had a soft early clear off of a La Salle corner. 7 SLU players in the box. But Pereira was first and he hit the post. SLU did better the rest of the game on clears and blocked shots. 

La Salle did early in the game to crowd the middle of the field, high, defensively. They pushed up their defensive midfielders and they pinched the middle with their wings.

SLU was able to get better spacing, spreading out La Salle,  and use the width of the field, later in the half. This also allowed SLU to isolate  middle of the field defenders. Several chances, but shot quality wasn’t and set piece finishing were less successful. Strong two way play all game from SLU’s outside backs. (Leatherman, Henry, Cortez, Jaeger)
 …………

People sometimes ask how do you attack a team that sits a ton of players defensively behind the ball. This is one example:

SLU first goal was reversing the ball against a compact defense to make them move side to side and backwards. Center back to defensive midfielder, wide to attacker, back to defensive midfielder, opposite side center back wide to outside back, wide service, Franca cleaned up the 2nd chance. 1-0

SLU had SIXTEEN consecutive passes on the play, before the goal. EIGHT different Billiken touched the ball on the play. 

The willingness to take top of the box shots creates other opportunity, either via 2nd and 3rd chances or winning set pieces. La Salle got away with a handball late off of a Barnett shot, not even reviewed. But SLU scored anyway off of the corner. Lots of sustained pressure. DiMaria corner to Tanner for a near post header. 2-0

Slow start, strong final two thirds of the game for SLU in all phases.

………...

Geeoge Washington made a coaching change. Craig Jones is out after 14 seasons at GW.
………..

It’s good to see former Billiken Mike Sorber at both SLU Women, and, SLU Men’s Soccer games. 
…………

Davidson or George Mason would be better RPI games for SLU in the semifinals. 
…………

 

[courtside]

SLU will host Davidson in the A10 semifinal on Wednesday night. 

Fordham will host Dayton  in the other semifinal. 

[courtside]

SLU is ranked 22 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll this week. 

[courtside]

Davidson Wildcats.

Davidson plays a familiar 4-2-3-1 formation. 

Davidson plays a little bit like SLU. The strength of their team is their defense led by center back Alonzo  Clarke. Size, physicality, tackles well, and he has the foot speed to chase down some forwards too. He’ll be joined by Atman Maadir for a solid tandem. Ward and Brown on the outside. Beltran is a solid experienced keeper. Thissell and Quanbeck distribute out of the defensive middle. 

Davidson has a 2nd 11. They will sub in and out a lot of attacking players, including 4 Freshman. Ramos Mora is a playmaker in the midfield, as is Alvaro Zabballos who adds size with Boudro. Ibe and Brady are capable scorers. Myles Culley is their pace winger who gets on the end of back post service. He and McGlone are their high volume shot takers.

Davidson is a press, defend, force central turnovers, transition. They are less build from the back. When they do it’s often wide using the width of the field. They have set piece size. 

I expect SLU to continue with its 4-4-2.

[courtside]

On 11/12/2025 at 7:23 AM, courtside said:

Davidson Wildcats.

Davidson plays a familiar 4-2-3-1 formation. 

Davidson plays a little bit like SLU. The strength of their team is their defense led by center back Alonzo  Clarke. Size, physicality, tackles well, and he has the foot speed to chase down some forwards too. He’ll be joined by Atman Maadir for a solid tandem. Ward and Brown on the outside. Beltran is a solid experienced keeper. Thissell and Quanbeck distribute out of the defensive middle. 

Davidson has a 2nd 11. They will sub in and out a lot of attacking players, including 4 Freshman. Ramos Mora is a playmaker in the midfield, as is Alvaro Zabballos who adds size with Boudro. Ibe and Brady are capable scorers. Myles Culley is their pace winger who gets on the end of back post service. He and McGlone are their high volume shot takers.

Davidson is a press, defend, force central turnovers, transition. They are less build from the back. When they do it’s often wide using the width of the field. They have set piece size. 

I expect SLU to continue with its 4-4-2.

A10 Semifinal

SLU 1 Davidson 0

Special thanks to Josh Oswald, and the Blackburn Men and Women’s Soccer teams that made the trip to see the game and support the Billikens. Good group of people. 

4-2-3-1 for Davidson

4-4-2 for SLU. 

Available: Fournier, limited. Easton, full 90.

Playoff Soccer.  

Good start, front foot for SLU. Had a few chances early to take the lead. 

Davidson as expected pressed high. And they pushed their outside backs up to defend wings at midfield. Lots of balls into open space to forwards for SLU v Clarke and Maadir. It’s effective because if nothing comes of it, it forces Davidson to build from the back. They would rather press. Force turnovers. Short interior combination play for scoring opportunities in the offensive third. So you can take a few chances. 
 
SLU was able to force a turnover at midfield and, get Clarke and Maadir out of position. Nice tackle from Barnett. Tanner played s good ball for Delkus 1v1 with Brown. He played O’Neil on the overlap for the cut back shot and goal. Offside for Xavi. Very close. He looked onside when the ball was played. Tough call. No goal. 

Davidson frequently defended high with 6 players to try to take away SLU’s build from the back. That dares the other team to play the ball over the top in space. If they give you that you take it. 

A few minutes later, Cortez, did just that up to Franca in space 1v1 with Clarke. Franca used his strength to win the ball. He was fouled by Clarke as he cut back inside the 18. Then Clarke also fouled Heckenlaible on the ensuing play. Clarke is their best player but he was all alone defending there. No help defense because Davidson was playing its defensive midfielders and outside backs high. PK  Blair. 1-0. The recognition from Cortez. The ability to win the ball and make the play from Franca. Blair always hammers his PK attempts. 

Maadir saved a goal moments later as Heckenlaible beat Ward 1v1 edge of the 18. last second sliding save by Maadir or Franca taps it in SLU’s 2nd goal. Good work from Pare as well. 

Cortez to Heckenlaible. He had Franca but the pass was behind him. Franca still gathered an open look inside the 18, but he put it over the bar. 

Some SLU chances to have a multi goal half time lead. 
……………….

Clarke had a good chance on a back post header set piece, but Abonnel was there. 

O’Neil give and go with Franca, drew Maadir, who squares to Delkus in behind Wilkens, but Jackson decided to cut it back left foot than take it to his right near the 6. Save Beltran.

Davidson began playing more long balls in space, trying to draw fouls and set pieces. 

SLU was unable to tack on a 2nd or 3rd goal, which kept Davidson in the game, and allowed Davidson to keep playing their style of play. 

SLU transition, Cortez to Xavi wide again, give and go with DiMaria, to the end line, beat Brown again. Last second diving save from Beltran or Franca taps in a goal. 3 more additional opportunities from O’Neil wide. 

Give and go Xavi and Tanner. Xavi played a nice diagonal ball for Pare all alone in space behind the defense. Pare stopped playing because he thought he was going to get an offside call. It was an easy goal for 2-0. Have to finish there. Never stop playing. 

Easily could have been w 3-0 type of game for SLU. Physical, hard fought, playoff soccer. 

[courtside]

SLU’s RPI is 23. 

[Bay Area Billiken]

SLU's RPI is 23;  the Dayton Foreign Legion's RPI is 98.  The two played to a scoreless draw earlier in the season at SLU.

Does SLU get an NCAA Tourney bid if Dayton somehow advances Sunday?  I would hope so, but why take any chances, especially after the SLU Women's team was snubbed with an easily qualifying RPI of 31? 

Win the game and get  the automatic bid.  Let the NCAA Committee decide only SLU's seeding and venue fates. 

[Pistol]

2 hours ago, Bay Area Billiken said:

SLU's RPI is 23;  the Dayton Foreign Legion's RPI is 98.  The two played to a scoreless draw earlier in the season at SLU.

Does SLU get an NCAA Tourney bid if Dayton somehow advances Sunday?  I would hope so, but why take any chances, especially after the SLU Women's team was snubbed with an easily qualifying RPI of 31? 

Win the game and get  the automatic bid.  Let the NCAA Committee decide only SLU's seeding and venue fates. 

SLU should be in regardless. A win goes a long way in seeding and home field advantage, though.

They played to a scoreless draw after SLU drew a straight red card about 20 minutes into the previous match. I'd like to think they'll come out hungry - and hopefully more disciplined - this time.