The SLU Billikens went 8-4-5 and tied for second place in the Atlantic 10 Conference last season. (Photo: Thomas Grove)
ST. LOUIS, MO — The Saint Louis University men’s soccer team released its 2024 season schedule on Thursday.
This year’s slate features eight matches against teams that qualified for the NCAA Tournament last year. Also, 10 of the Billikens’ opponents finished in the top 50 of last year’s NCAA Ratings Percentage Index (RPI).
“We are eager to start the 2024 season with our team and staff,” head coach Kevin Kalish said. “Our players put in a tremendous amount of work this spring, and we want to continue to build on the growth of the team.
“We believe we have put together a schedule that will challenge our team in many ways, both home and away, against some of the best college soccer has to offer,” Kalish said. “We look forward to embracing the journey ahead and trying to be at our best when November comes around.”
The regular-season opener should be much anticipated as long-standing rival Indiana comes to Hermann Stadium to kick things off on Friday, August 23. Last year, the Hoosiers advanced to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals. SLU and IU will be meeting in the regular season for the first time since 2016.
Next, SLU travels to Dallas to face SMU on Thursday, August 29. The Mustangs reached the third round of the NCAA Championship last season.
After facing Indianapolis on September 2, at Hermann Stadium, the Billikens embark on a stretch where they will take on three straight NCAA teams from a season ago. The Bronze Boot match against SIUE will be played September 8, at a location to be announced later in June. SLU plays at Portland (2023 NCAA second round), September 13, and hosts Lipscomb on September 17.
Additional nonconference games are a home matchup against Charlotte, October 1, a road contest vs. Missouri State, October 23, and Blackburn at home, October 29. Charlotte and Missouri State reached the NCAA Championship second round a year ago.
SLU welcomes the following Atlantic 10 Conference foes to Hermann Stadium: Loyola Chicago (September 28, Homecoming), Duquesne (October 5), VCU (October 19) and George Washington (October 26).
The Billikens are on the road for the following A-10 matches: La Salle (September 21), Fordham (Wednesday, Oct. 9), Rhode Island (October 12) and defending A-10 champion and NCAA qualifier Dayton November 2).
Once again, the A-10 Men’s Soccer Championship will be held on campus sites. The top eight teams qualify, with the better seed hosting the quarterfinals (November 8), semifinals (November 13) and championship match (November 17).
The Billikens play their first of two exhibition matches on Saturday, Aug. 10, at Omaha. The first opportunity for fans to see the Billikens at Hermann Stadium will be August 16, when Evansville visits for exhibition play.
The Billikens went 8-4-5 overall and 4-1-3 in league play a season ago. SLU was unbeaten at Hermann Stadium (7-0-3) last year and is 30-3-9 on its home pitch over the last four seasons.
“There is no better environment in college soccer than playing at Hermann Stadium in front of the St. Louis soccer community,” Kalish said.
2024 SLU BILLIKENS MEN’S SOCCER SCHEDULE
| Date | Time | At | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 10, 2024 (Saturday) | Noon | Away | Omaha | Omaha, Neb. |
| August 16, 2024 (Friday) | 7 pm | Home | Evansville | Hermann Stadium |
| August 23, 2024 (Friday) | 7 pm | Home | Indiana | Hermann Stadium |
| August 29, 2024 (Thursday) | 8:30 pm | Away | SMU | Dallas, Texas |
| September 2, 2024 (Monday) | 7 pm | Home | IU Indianapolis | Hermann Stadium |
| September 8, 2024 (Sunday) | 6 pm | Neutral | SIUE | TBA |
| September 13, 2024 (Friday) | 9 pm | Away | Portland | Portland, Ore. |
| September 17, 2024 (Tuesday) | 7 pm | Home | Lipscomb | Hermann Stadium |
| September 21, 2024 (Saturday) | 6 pm | Away | La Salle | Philadelphia, Pa. |
| September 28, 2024 (Saturday) | 7:30 pm | Home | Loyola Chicago | Hermann Stadium |
| October 1, 2024 (Tuesday) | 7 pm | Home | Charlotte | Hermann Stadium |
| October 5, 2024 (Saturday) | 7 pm | Home | Duquesne | Hermann Stadium |
| October 9, 2024 (Wednesday) | 6 pm | Away | Fordham | Bronx, N.Y. |
| October 12, 2024 (Saturday) | 6 pm | Away | Rhode Island | Kingston, R.I. |
| October 19, 2024 (Saturday) | 7 pm | Home | VCU | Hermann Stadium |
| October 23, 2024 (Wednesday) | 6 pm | Away | Missouri State | Springfield, Mo. |
| October 26, 2024 (Saturday) | 7 pm | Home | George Washington | Hermann Stadium |
| October 29, 2024 (Tuesday) | 7 pm | Home | Blackburn | Hermann Stadium |
| November 2, 2024 (Saturday) | 6 pm | Away | Dayton | Dayton, Ohio |