The SLU Billikens won their 2025 home opener by upsetting No. 5-ranked SMU on Sunday. (Photo: Thomas Grove)

NCAA Men’s Soccer	1	2	Final
#5 SMU (0-1-1)	0	0	0
SLU (1-0-1)	1	0	1

SCORING SUMMARY

Time	Team	Description
12:02		Andrew Heckenlaible (1) Unassisted.

Jason Barnes
Special to the Editor

ST. LOUIS, MO — Sophomore forward Andrew Heckenlaible scored his first goal as a college player to lead the Saint Louis University men’s soccer team to a 1-0 upset victory over No. 5-ranked SMU, Sunday night at Hermann Stadium.

It was the first win of the season for the Billikens, who complete their opening week with a 1-0-1 record. SMU falls to 0-1-1.

The win snapped an eight-game winless streak for the Billikens against SMU and was SLU’s first win against the Mustangs since 2005.

Heckenlaible scored his first-career goal at the 12:02 mark. He gained possession 30 yards out and carried the ball in, splitting the defense and going to the goal for the eventually game-winning tally.

It was a team effort on the defensive end to keep SMU off the scoreboard. Jeremi Abonnel made five saves for his second shutout in as many games. One of the saves came in the opening seconds of the game as the Mustangs attacked early, forcing Abonnel to be sharp in the first minute.

Carlos Leatherman and Draven Barnett both made clutch defensive plays in the box in the second half to help keep the Mustangs of the board. SMU out-shot the Billikens 14-7. SLU had the advantage in corner kicks, 5-4.

The Billikens continue their season-opening three-game homestand next Saturday, hosting Seton Hall (1-0-1) in a 7 p.m. start.

2025 SLU BILLIKENS MEN’S SOCCER SCHEDULE

Date	Time	At	Opponent	Location	Results
August 21, 2025 (Thursday)	7 pm	Home	South Florida	Hermann Stadium	Draw 0-0
August 24, 2025 (Sunday)	7:30 pm	Home	#5 SMU	Hermann Stadium	W 1-0
August 30, 2025 (Saturday)	7 pm	Home	Seton Hall	Hermann Stadium
September 3, 2025 (Wednesday)	7 pm	Away	#11 Indiana	Bloomington, Ind.
September 7, 2025 (Sunday)	6 pm	Home	SIU-Edwardsville	Hermann Stadium
September 12, 2025 (Friday)	7 pm	Home	Portland	Hermann Stadium
September 16, 2025 (Tuesday)	7 pm	Home	#24 Missouri State	Hermann Stadium
September 20, 2025 (Saturday)	6 pm	Away	Duquesne	Pittsburgh, Pa.
September 23, 2025 (Tuesday)	6 pm	Away	#21 Akron	Akron, Ohio
September 27, 2025 (Saturday)	6:30 pm	Home	La Salle	Hermann Stadium
October 4, 2025 (Saturday)	7 pm	Home	Dayton	Hermann Stadium
October 8, 2025 (Wednesday)	TBA	Away	George Washington	Washington, D.C.
October 11, 2025 (Saturday)	6 pm	Away	VCU	Richmond, Va.
October 18, 2025 (Saturday)	7 pm	Home	Fordham	Hermann Stadium
October 25, 2025 (Saturday)	3 pm	Away	Loyola Chicago	Chicago, Ill.
October 29, 2025 (Wednesday)	7 pm	Home	Blackburn	Hermann Stadium
November 1, 2025 (Saturday)	7 pm	Home	Rhode Island	Hermann Stadium