Saint Louis and Illinois-Chicago battled to a 2-2 draw in a nonconference men’s soccer match at Robert R. Hermann Stadium on Friday night.
SLU, ranked No. 16 in this week’s United Soccer Coaches Top 25, moves to 2-0-1 on the year. Illinois-Chicago is now 0-1-2.
The Billikens had a 2-0 lead in the match, but the Flames scored two unanswered goals including the game-tying tally in the 89th minute to salvage the draw.
Mason Leeth opened the scoring in the 11th minute with his first goal of the year. He took a feed from Simon Becher and buried a left-footed shot into the back of the next for the 1-0 Billiken advantage.
That remained the score until early in the second half when John Klein got his second goal of the year. Alex Shterenberg and Becher assisted on the play.
UIC pulled to within one just moments later when Younes Dayekh found the back of the net. Then, Andrew Moreno scored the equalizer for the Flames in the waning minutes of regulation to send the game into overtime.
Both teams had chances throughout the game, with both UIC keeper Andres Vasquez and SLU keeper Patrick Schulte making dazzling saves.
Friday’s game was initially scheduled to be played in Chicago, but had to be moved at the last-minute due to field conditions.
The Billikens are back in action on Monday, Sept. 6, when they host Memphis at Hermann Stadium. Game time on Labor Day is set for 7 p.m.
