SLU Upsets #3 Creighton

It was a week ago that the Billikens beat then #5 Louisville on a late goal from Tyler David. At that point, I said they caught lightning in a bottle, which wasn’t an easy feat. But they couldn’t do it again, right? Wrong.

For the players and coaches, it wasn’t an unfamiliar scenario on Saturday night in Omaha. Underdogs against #3 Creighton. Last year, Alex Sweetin scored a late goal to give the Bills a victory. The difference, this year, was that SLU would be on the road, where their most difficulty has come. In only one regular season match on the road, SLU looked flat and disappointing against Memphis. Even in the preseason, SLU lost to a far inferior UIC team on the road. To say the least, hopes and confidence weren’t high going in to the match on Saturday.

But things changed after kickoff. The offense looked alive, and the defense was tough as ever. Sascha “Brickenmauer” Otte lived up to his nickname, and his hype. A career high 8 saves kept SLU in the game, and eventually forced overtime. Then, in the 93rd minute, star power took over. Robert Kristo found the back of the net for his 4th goal of the season, and 30th all time (tied for 20th in SLU history). With this goal, it’s hard to think of a situation where Kristo isn’t a 1st-team All-American and a national player of the year semifinalist. When they’ve needed him the most, Kristo showed not only exceptional skill, but superior leadership.

I’ve been as critical as any of the Billikens this season. At times, I called the defense and offense “disappointing”, “unimpressive”, and having “left something to desire” on the pitch. But this game proved a lot. Defensively, Otte is the best goalie in the conference and one of the top freshman nationally. The back line, headed by Hermann Award nominee Anthony Manning, has started to step up their game. At the beginning of the season, they seemed disinterested and down right bad at points. To their credit, they’re starting to step up, and it’s showing. The offense that has, at time, been “disappointing”, and “unable to finish” is starting to do their job. They’re not scoring in bunches every game, but they’re scoring when they need to. The latter of which is crucial.

I was right in my last post. It’s hard to catch lightning in a bottle, almost impossible. That’s because the second time you “catch” it, it’s not lightning any more. It’s greatness. The 7th game of the season is early to call a team “great”, and “greatness” is a term saved for teams, players, or moments that are remembered forever. Every great team has a superstar (Kristo), role players (Bryce, Manning, Graydon), and an up-and-coming youngster (Otte). I’m not proclaiming their immortality. I’m not even saying they’re the greatest team in SLU history, it’s too early. But the pieces are there. Stay tuned Bills fans, big things are coming.