The Saint Louis University Billikens will host an NCAA Tournament 1st round game against Kansas City, Thursday night at Hermann Stadium. (Photo: Thomas Grove)
SLU Billikens Men’s Soccer – Gameday Info
Match No. 21 – Kansas City Kangaroos (12-4-3) at SLU Billikens (8-4-8)
Date/Time – November 21, 2024 – 7 pm
Location – Hermann Stadium — St. Louis, MO
Watch – ESPN+
Live Stats – SLU Stat Broadcast
Jason Barnes
Special to the Editor
ST. LOUIS, MO — The Saint Louis University men’s soccer team will host an NCAA Tournament first round game on Thursday, against cross-state rival Kansas City. Opening kick at Hermann Stadium is set for 7 p.m.
The winner of Thursday’s match advances to face No. 15-overall seed Missouri State on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. in Springfield, Mo.
Saint Louis (8-4-8), which advanced all the way to the Atlantic 10 Conference championship match before losing to eventual champ Dayton, earned an at-large into the NCAA field, and was selected to host the first-round matchup against Kansas City.
KC (12-4-3) captured the Summit League’s automatic bid after a dramatic win in the league’s championship match. Playing on the road against eventual NCAA No. 3 seed Denver, the Roos’ Elie Kisoka scored with 13 seconds left in regulation for a 2-1 win and Kansas City’s first NCAA bid since 2008.
Thursday’s contest will make SLU’s NCAA-record 51st appearance in the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship Tournament. This was the Billikens’ first at-large selection since 2014.
Senior Luis Lara leads Saint Louis with eight goals this season. (Photo: Thomas Grove)
Players to Watch: SLU’s offense is led by senior forwards Luis Lara and Matthew Wrobel. Lara, a transfer from Pitt, led the Billikens with eight goals and 17 points this season, while Wrobel had five goals, including the game-winner in the A-10 semifinal upset over George Mason.
Another senior forward, Seth Anderson, was SLU’s top playmaker this year. He currently ranks second in the A-10 with nine assists this season.
Billiken goalkeeper Jeremi Abonnel led the A-10 with eight shutouts this season.
KC’s Kisoka was Summit League Offensive Player and Newcomer of the Year, after notching 12 goals and eight assists this year.
Teammates Julien Le Bourdoulous and Fernando Somolinos were also First-Team All-Conference choices with Kisoka, while five others made the Second-Team and Honorable Mention lists.
Up Next: The winner of Thursday’s matchup will play No. 15 national seed Missouri State in the second round on Sunday in Springfield. Opening kick that evening is set for 6:30 p.m.
2024 SLU BILLIKENS MEN’S SOCCER SCHEDULE
| Date | Time | At | Opponent | Location | TV | Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 21, 2024 (Thursday) | 7 pm | Home | Kansas City | Hermann Stadium |  | NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship — 1st Rd |
| November 24, 2024 (Sunday) | 6:30 pm | Away | #15 Missouri State | Springfield, MO | | NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship — 2nd Rd |