Missouri State Bears at SLU Billikens, Aug 22nd 2009
Following the Action – Tickets for the NCAA Tournament game are $8 for adults, $6 for children and SLU students who show a valid SLU ID. Fans can follow live on GameTracker, and the match will be video streamed for a fee. Follow the links on www.slubillikens.com for more information. In addition, campus station KSLU will stream audio for free at kslu.slu.edu..
Live Stats – Live stats will be provided by the host school and will be available at www.missouristatebears.com. Go to the men’s soccer schedule page and click on the live stats icon next to Thursday’s match.
Video – Video coverage of the Bears first round NCAA Tournament match at Saint Louis will be streamed over the internet. A direct link to the broadcast will be posted on MissouriStateBears.com once available.
The Opponent – Saint Louis is led in scoring by sophomore forward Mike Roach, who has tallied 22 points (10G, 2A). He registered two goals and an assist in the A-10 Championship to draw Most Outstanding Player accolades. Senior defender Tim Ream, who was named to the All-Championship team after notching the game winner against Rhode Island in the A-10 semifinals, follows with 15 points (6G, 3A). Junior midfielder Stephen Bortolon has 10 points (3G, 4A), while freshman midfielder Alex Sweetin leads the team with six assists. Senior keeper Ross Kaufman anchors a defense that has allowed eight goals in the last 12 games.
The Series – The Billikens own a 8-0-3 all-time record against Missouri State. The Bears played SLU earlier this fall in an exhibition match on August 22 with the Billikens taking the 2-0 decision.
In the NCAA Tournament – Missouri State is 0-2-0 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. The Bears previous appearances in the NCAA Tournament occurred in 1997 (0-2 loss at #14 Saint Louis) and 1999 (1-2 loss at #16 UAB).
National Rankings – Missouri State is ranked No. 19 in the final regular season NSCAA National Rankings. It was the third consecutive week the Bears had received a top-25 nod. Missouri State was also ranked No. 19 in the Soccer America final regular season rankings and in this week’s College Soccer News rankings (No. 28).
Coach Jon Leamy – Missouri State head coach Jon Leamy (Roanoke College, 1982) is 187-129-33 in his 18th season leading the Bears. Leamy was named MVC Coach of the Year in 1995, 1997 and 1999. He led the Bears to NCAA appearances in 1997 and 1999 and received Midwest Region Coach of the Year both seasons. Leamy, associate head coach Micheal Seabolt and assistant coach David Stockton were named 2009 MVC Coaching Staff of the Year.
Missouri Valley Conference - For first time since 1991, the Creighton Bluejays will not be participating in the NCAA Tournament. Creighton’s streak of 17 straight NCAA Tournament appearances was the fourth longest active streak in the nation. It posted a 7-4-5 record this season, losing just two of its final 11 matches. The biggest win on a slim regular-season schedule — only 15 games — was a 1-0 victory over UCLA. Two other Missouri Valley teams, Missouri State (12-4-2) and Drake (13-6-2), made the NCAA Tournament.
Drake Bulldogs – For the first time in program history the Drake men’s soccer team will host an NCAA Tournament contest as the Bulldogs welcome Summit League champion Western Illinois to the Cownie Soccer Complex on Thursday (Nov. 19) for a 7:00 p.m. tilt. The match will mark the first-ever Division I NCAA Tournament men’s soccer game played in the State of Iowa.
The winner of the match advances to the second round for a meeting with fourth-seeded Ohio State on Sunday (Nov. 22). Game time in Columbus, Ohio, is slated for 12:00 p.m. CT.
SCOUTING THE LEATHERNECKS
Western Illinois (8-9-2) comes into tournament play unbeaten in its last five contests, posting a 4-0-1 mark. Senior Martin Browne Jr. paces the Leathernecks in goals (6), points (12) and shots (18). Senior Stephen Paterson has logged the majority of minutes in net for Western Illinois and has responded by recording 81 saves.
SERIES HISTORY
Drake will be squaring off against the Leathernecks for the 20th time in school history, owning a 12-7 series advantage. Earlier in the season, the Bulldogs netted a 1-0 decision at Western Illinois on Oct. 7.
Everyone get out and support the Bears in this crucial match.