Simon Becher, John Klein and Kevin Komodi tallied a goal and an assist apiece, and No. 14 Saint Louis dismantled VCU 4-1 Saturday night for its sixth consecutive victory.
The Billikens improved to 9-0-3 overall and 5-0 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. VCU, which is receiving votes in this week’s United Soccer Coaches poll, fell to 7-4-1, 3-2.
SLU’s 12-match unbeaten streak is the longest to start a season since the 1971 squad began the year 17-0. It’s SLU’s longest unbeaten streak at any point in a season since the 1991 Bills went 16 games without a loss (14-0-2).
Becher and Klein continue their dominance up top. With his goal and assist tonight, Klein added to his NCAA-leading assists total, which now stands at 12. Additionally, he has registered at least one point in all 11 of his appearances this year, breaking Dipsy Selolwane’s (2001) modern-day school record of 10 straight appearances with at least one point.
Becher has tallied a goal in six straight games, the most by a Billiken since Jason Cole scored in seven consecutive matches in 2002. Becher leads the team in scoring with 23 points (8G, 7A).
It was the duo of Becher and Klein who connected for the Billikens’ opening goal in the 30th minute. A 38th-minute goal by Mujeeb Murana, his third of the season, with Komodi assisting gave SLU a 2-0 lead at halftime.
VCU scored early in the second half to pull within one, but Klein reestablished the two-goal lead for SLU when he scored off an Isaiah Parker assist in the 60th minute. Komodi finished the scoring, this time with the help of a Becher assist, in the 72nd minute for the 4-1 SLU margin.
SLU outshot the Rams (13-12) and had a 3-1 edge in corner kicks.
Patrick Schulte was effective in goal, turning away three VCU shots to secure the win.
Saint Louis returns to action next Saturday night, Oct. 16, when it hosts Dayton at Hermann Stadium. Game time is 7 p.m.
