The SLU Billikens are 3-1-2 this season. (Photo: Ellie Parker)
Jason Barnes
Special to the Editor
The Saint Louis University men’s soccer team made an incredible jump in the national soccer rankings this week.
The Billikens began the year unranked, but did get some votes in the preseason United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll.
Then, after wins over then-No. 5 SMU and a highly respected Seton Hall team, Saint Louis made its first appearance in the poll at No. 24.
This week though, after a win over SIU-Edwardsville and an impressive draw against then-No. 9 Portland, SLU jumped 17 spots up to No. 7 in the country.
The top 10 ranking is the highest for the Billikens in more than three seasons.
SLU goalkeeper Jeremi Abonnel has four shutouts in seven starts this season. (Photo: Ellie Parker)
Indiana, the team that handed SLU its only loss so far this season, was ranked No. 1. But the Hoosiers suffered their first loss of the season last Saturday, in a Big 10 Conference game against Michigan, and fell to No. 5 this week.
Unbeaten Wake Forest is the new No. 1, after receiving six first-place votes. Fellow ACC powers, North Carolina State and Stanford, follow as Nos. 2 and 3.
Portland received one first-place vote and is No. 4. As stated above, Indiana is No. 5, followed by defending national runner-up Marshall at No. 6.
SLU didn’t get any first-place votes, but did accumulate 152 total points to reach No. 7, with Michigan, defending national champ Vermont, and Akron rounding out the top 10 at 8, 9, and 10.
The Billikens will play the final game of a three-game homestand this evening at Hermann Stadium against Missouri State.
Opening kick is set for 7 p.m., and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
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 (0-0-1) |
| August 24, 2025 (Sunday) | 7:30 pm | Home | #5 SMU | Hermann Stadium | W 1-0 (1-0-1) |
| August 30, 2025 (Saturday) | 7 pm | Home | Seton Hall | Hermann Stadium | W 1-0 (2-0-1) |
| September 3, 2025 (Wednesday) | 7 pm | Away | #4 Indiana | Bloomington, Ind. | L 1-0 (2-1-1) |
| September 7, 2025 (Sunday) | 6 pm | Home | SIU-Edwardsville | Hermann Stadium | W 2-1 (3-1-1) |
| September 12, 2025 (Friday) | 7 pm | Home | #9 Portland | Hermann Stadium | T 1-1 (3-1-2) |
| September 16, 2025 (Tuesday) | 7 pm | Home | Missouri State | Hermann Stadium | |
| September 20, 2025 (Saturday) | 6 pm | Away | Duquesne | Pittsburgh, Pa. | |
| September 23, 2025 (Tuesday) | 6 pm | Away | #10 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 |