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St. Louis midfielder Enzo Okpoye, left, celebrates scoring the go ahead goal in overtime as teammate Alberto Suarez joins him during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament against Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022.
St. Louis University midfielder Kevin Komodi celebrates after converting a penalty kick in the tiebreaking round of the Atlantic 10 Conference men’s soccer tournament title game on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022 at Hermann Stadium. His goal helped the Billikens beat Loyola-Chicago.
St. Louis midfielder Enzo Okpoye (12) heads a shot on net to score the go ahead goal in overtime during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament against Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022.
David Carson, Post-Dispatch
St. Louis defender Alberto Suarez (4) celebrates scoring on a penalty kick in the second half during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament against Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022.
Offense was at a minimum for St. Louis University’s soccer team in the final weeks of the season as the Billikens scored no more than one goal in their four games prior to the start of the NCAA Tournament.
Against Memphis on Thursday night, the 20th-ranked Billikens realized early they were going to need more than one to avoid another game being decided by penalty kicks.
They scored two in the run of play. They got another on a penalty kick. The winner was the most unusual on a throw-in by Lane Warrington, whose toss was finished by Enzo Okpoye in overtime to give SLU a 4-2 win at Hermann Stadium.
Warrington’s throw-ins from the sideline often are as dangerous as corner kicks. In the OT, he made a sequence of three within two minutes and the third found Okpoye, whose header went off a defender and into the goal in the 95th minute.
Jack Mika added a goal late in the second OT to seal the win.
The win earned the Billikens (12-4-3) a second-round game Sunday at Indiana, which is the 13th overall seed. The game will feature the two programs with the most NCAA Tournament appearances in history.
Seth Anderson scored in the first half on an assist by Mads Stistrup Petersen after SLU fell behind 1-0.
The Billikens generated an abundance of opportunities before John Klein drew a penalty kick and Alberto Suarez converted in the 76th minute. Klein was taken down by Memphis goalkeeper Colin Welsh as they pursued a loose ball slightly wide of the goal.
But the Tigers were able to tie the game minutes later on a frenzy of activity in front of the goal that ended when Bryce Meredith scored while laying on the ground.
When Memphis showed up on the board as SLU’s opponent on Monday, there was an audibly uncomfortable reaction after the SLU women lost to Memphis in the first round days earlier.
In a sport that uses geography for NCAA matchups, it made sense. Meanwhile, Missouri State went a bit north to play Creighton and ended up with a 2-1 loss.
SLU has played many times against Memphis, holding a 17-8-1 series lead before the latest meeting. The Billikens beat the Tigers 3-0 last season, and Memphis was making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2004.
SLU increased its pressure considerably over the last 15 minutes of the first half, creating multiple opportunities before Anderson’s goal.
Enzo Okpoye got his head on the ball after a long throw in, directing it at Welsh who made the save, mishandled the ball and then dove on it before it could cross the line.
Stistrup Petersen created another chance moving across the box to his right and getting an open look at the goal. His shot was on frame and slicing right when Welsh laid out and got a hand on the ball to keep it from going into the right corner.
Memphis scored first when Gabriel Christensen was somehow able to direct a crossing pass through traffic that included six or seven SLU defenders. Eric Primo found the open left side of the goal for a 1-0 Tigers lead.
SLU was without defender Grady Easton due to an injury. Memphis was without forward Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos, who picked up a red card at the conclusion of the team’s last game. He is tied for the Memphis lead with 16 points.
The teams had three common opponents during the regular season, two of which are in the NCAA field. SLU was 1-2-0 against them and Memphis was 1-0-2 with a win over SMU.
St. Louis midfielder Enzo Okpoye, left, celebrates scoring the go ahead goal in overtime as teammate Alberto Suarez joins him during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament against Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022.
St. Louis midfielder Enzo Okpoye (12) heads a shot on net to score the go ahead goal in overtime during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament against Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022.
St. Louis midfielder Enzo Okpoye (12) jobs to the corner to celebrate his go ahead overtime goal during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Memphis midfielder Bryce Meredith (18) heads the ball off the line to save a goal in overtime during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Memphis defender Jackson Kim (15) and St. Louis midfielder John Klein (10) battle for control of the ball in the first half during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Memphis defender Cesar Sancho (5) lays on the field after his team fell in overtime 4-2 in the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis soccer coach Kevin Kalish congratulates St. Louis midfielder John Klein (10) after St. Louis won a game in overtime during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis defender Alberto Suarez (4) converts a penalty kick for a goal in the second half during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis defender Alberto Suarez (4) celebrates scoring a penalty kick in the second half during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis midfielder John Klein (10) crouches as Memphis celebrates scoring the first goal of the game during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis midfielder Brian Johnson (8) clears the ball as he gets booted in the head by Memphis forward Josemaria Ojeda (2) in the second half during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis forward Seth Anderson (7) makes a sliding tackle to knock the ball away in the first half during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Memphis goalkeeper Colin Welsh (1) dives to collect a loose ball in the box in the first half during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Memphis goalkeeper Colin Welsh (1) makes a save in the first half during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis defender Max Floriani (5) and Memphis defender Cesar Sancho (5) go up for a head ball in overtime during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis midfielder John Klein (10) dribbles past defenders in the first half during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Memphis defender Hayden Anderson (3) tries to hold off St. Louis midfielder Lane Warrington (18) in the first half during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Memphis defender Jackson Kim (15) can’t stop St. Louis forward Seth Anderson (7) makes a run in overtime during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis midfielder Mads Stistrup Petersen (11) dribbles upfield as Memphis forward Josemaria Ojeda (2) follows him during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis midfielder Enzo Okpoye (12) heads the ball on net to score a goal in overtime during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis midfielder John Klein (10) dribbles the ball up field as Memphis defender Cameron Weston (12) tries to stop him during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis forward Seth Anderson (7) is taken down and fouled by Memphis midfielder Bryce Meredith (18) in the first half during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis midfielder John Klein (10) is fouled by Memphis goalkeeper Colin Welsh (1) for penalty kick in the second half during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Memphis defender Jackson Kim (15) is tackled by St. Louis midfielder Brian Johnson (8) in the second half during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis forward CJ Coppola (13) takes a shot in the second half during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Memphis defender Cameron Weston (12) and Memphis forward Josemaria Ojeda (2) are split by St. Louis midfielder Mads Stistrup Petersen (11) as he dribbles to goal in the first half during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Memphis defender Cameron Weston (12) and Memphis forward Josemaria Ojeda (2) are split by St. Louis midfielder Mads Stistrup Petersen (11) as he dribbles to goal in the first half during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis defender Alberto Suarez (4) takes a deep breath before his penalty shot in the second half during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Memphis defender Cesar Sancho (5) and knocks the ball away from St. Louis goalkeeper Carlos Tofern (1) and fouls him in the overtime during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis forward Seth Anderson (7) is fouled by Memphis midfielder Bryce Meredith (18) in the first half during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis forward Seth Anderson (7) runs with hands out after scoring a goal in overtime during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament between St. Louis University and Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
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Stu Durando is the SLU beat writer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
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Zhang will join two other incoming freshmen, guard Cian Medley and forward Brock Vice, who signed last week.
Memphis eliminates the Billikens in first round of NAA Tournament
The Billikens took control early and built a double-digit lead before holding on for dear life to post a 90-84 win in the first of three big games this week.
St. Louis University goalkeeper Carlos Tofern stopped three penalty kicks for the second straight game as the Billikens extended their unbeaten streak to eight games.
The Billikens built 15-point lead that shrunk to 2 in final minute.
The St. Louis Billikens women’s soccer team suffered a season-ending loss to the Memphis Tigers in the 2022 NCAA Tournament first round.
The game was tied with 10 minutes left before SLU’s surge
The Billikens have what appears to be the toughest schedule in the Atlantic 10, with the tough part starting Tuesday night with a home game against Memphis.
The Billikens get the Tigers Thursday after the women’s teams played Saturday.
St. Louis midfielder Enzo Okpoye, left, celebrates scoring the go ahead goal in overtime as teammate Alberto Suarez joins him during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament against Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022.
St. Louis University midfielder Kevin Komodi celebrates after converting a penalty kick in the tiebreaking round of the Atlantic 10 Conference men’s soccer tournament title game on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022 at Hermann Stadium. His goal helped the Billikens beat Loyola-Chicago.
St. Louis midfielder Enzo Okpoye (12) heads a shot on net to score the go ahead goal in overtime during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament against Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022.
David Carson, Post-Dispatch
St. Louis defender Alberto Suarez (4) celebrates scoring on a penalty kick in the second half during the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer tournament against Memphis at Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022.
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