The Billikens played #4 University of Connecticut to a 0-0 draw after two overtime periods Saturday night. I was joined at the match by Travis and we met Mr. & Mrs. Mojo at the stadium under the threatening skies. The rain held off but the pitch was still obviously soft at the 7:00 pm kickoff from the day's rain.
SLU controlled the tempo in the first half, their tight midfield relieving UConn of the ball repeatedly in the first fifteen minutes. Play settled into a groove for the rest of the half with the Huskies having few chances but playing a tight defense that allowed SLU only three shots to UConn's two.
Both squads played looser in the second half, UConn getting more time near the SLU net and the Billikens taking more shots and giving the Huskies less time to fill in the defense.
Scoreless at the end of regulation, the sides played more aggressively yet no ball found the net in the two ten-minute overtime periods. Had SLU played the same attacking football in the first half that we saw in overtime, they may have walked away with a win.
Kyle Patterson was much improved over pre-season, getting a shot on goal and earning the squad a number of corner kicks. Brandon Barklage managed two shots on goal as well. Dado Hamzagic left in the first period and did not return - no word on why.
For UConn, I was much impressed with their mid-fielder Akeem Priestly, a terriffic dribbler and play-maker and one-time Junior member of the Reggae Boyz.
Next match is Saturday, September 20 at Hermann Field against Denver. Kickoff is 7:00 pm.
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