2004 SLU Billikens Official Thread

LuvDaBears · Oct 2, 2003

IMO, you guys give Wickart way too much credit. He's not that good.

soccertom · Oct 8, 2003

Saint Louis wins their 7th consectutive game on the road this season vs DePaul 1-0 with the game winner scored by, you guessed it, another Freshman!

Will John gets the goal scoring honors! Woo Hoo!

Below is a game story link from the SLU Website,

http://slubillikens.ocsn.com/sports/m-soccer/recaps/100803aaa.html

Sandon Mibut · Oct 9, 2003

Getting a win at DePaul is hard. Not because the Blue Demons are a strong side - though they are improving - but because their field is a frikkin' joke!

I was in Chicago on business and caught one of their games. DePaul's campus is in an upscale Chicago neigborhood, which means land is expensive and there isn't much extra to be used on things like a soccer field on campus. Thus, DePaul shares its "stadium" with the softball team. This means:

*Part of the field, including part of one of the penalty area and the corner, is sand for a softball infield.

*The field is very small and, literally, the wall of one of the dorms goes right up to the edge of the field so when a player is making a throw in from this part of the field, his back is touching the dorm.

*On the otherside of the field are elevated subway tracks and beneath that, a chapel and when the El goes by, you can't hear the whistle.

*There are only two small sections of stands and they are on the same side of the field as the scoreboard and clock, meaning people watching the game can't see the scoreboard and clock.

*Right behind one of the goals is a street that is fairly busy and, at the game I saw, an errant shot hit a passing car.

It's cozy and it makes you think it's what college sports were like 100 years ago when kids played on any old field on campus, but it is not very appealing to watch a game and I imagine it makes recruiting a tough sell.

And, as I said earlier, it's not an easy place to play if you aren't used to playing on that field so hats off to SLU for getting the win there.

BTW, I saw our famous lightning rod didn't play in this game either. Is he hurt?

Also, I saw John came of the bench - does he usually not start?

soccertom · Oct 9, 2003

Originally posted by Sandon Mibut

And, as I said earlier, it's not an easy place to play if you aren't used to playing on that field so hats off to SLU for getting the win there.

BTW, I saw our famous lightning rod didn't play in this game either. Is he hurt?

Also, I saw John came of the bench - does he usually not start?
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Kevin Wickart hasn't played for the last 3 games due to a strained groin.

The DePaul match was Will John's first coming off the bench as he started the previous 10 games.

Martin Hutton did not play in goal as Sophmore Keeper Jeff Sackman gained the shutout in his first action of the season.

Kyle Hopson, Andrew Moses and Danny Wynn also did not play.

SLU played 9 Freshman, 2 Sophmores and 2 Seniors against DePaul.

soccertom · Oct 10, 2003

SLU renews aquaintences with the South Florida Bulls in a rivalry that dates back into the mid 1960's. I think the all-time series stands in favor of SLU 22 wins vs 5 losses.

I have always enjoyed the South Florida game. South Florida used to recruit quite heavily in the Saint Louis area and a number of my buddies are SF alumni.

I expect an entertaining hard fought wide open game. South Florida will be geeked up as always when they play SLU and they really need this game to get their season back on track. This will be my first look at SF's potential All American Forward Hunter Freeman. Hopefully SLU will be at full strength as several players have been out with various injuries.

LuvDaBears · Oct 10, 2003

soccertom...USF isn't that good this year. You guys have a much better team. Hunter West is overrated. SLU wins by two goals.

Concerning DePaul's field...why the heck doesn't conference usa step in and tell them to do something about it. It is a joke. Speaking of bad fields...Cincinnati has one of those new field turf fields, and if you're not used to it, those things are tough to play on. They're slick, and a lot different than grass.

IMO, it should be real grass, or nothing at all...and D1 programs should not have to play on a field that is 30% dirt.

soccertom · Oct 10, 2003

Originally posted by LuvDaBears
soccertom...USF isn't that good this year. You guys have a much better team. Hunter West is overrated. SLU wins by two goals.

Concerning DePaul's field...why the heck doesn't conference usa step in and tell them to do something about it. It is a joke. Speaking of bad fields...Cincinnati has one of those new field turf fields, and if you're not used to it, those things are tough to play on. They're slick, and a lot different than grass.

IMO, it should be real grass, or nothing at all...and D1 programs should not have to play on a field that is 30% dirt.
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I hope you are correct.

I do know that every team that plays SLU gives them their very best shot especially teams like South Florida in that a victory on the road against a 5th ranked SLU does a world of good for SF's confidence and also puts them back on track for a possible NCAA bid if they finish the season strong. I am also very mindful of SLU's youth and the fact that any opponent can knock off a SLU team that starts 7 or 8 Freshman and 1 or 2 Sophmores most every game.

It would be nice if all Division 1 teams had nice grass facilities but alas that isn't the case. I have played on the new turf fields and they are a giant improvement over the old Astro Turf style surfaces.

Of course nothing beats good old fashioned God created grass which beautifully adorns the surface of College Soccer's Crown Jewel known as Hermann Stadium @ Saint Louis University home of the 10 time NCAA Soccer Champion Billikens... Whoa sorry I went off on a little tangent there.....

LuvDaBears · Oct 10, 2003

I'll be shocked if Donigan's Diaper Dandies don't beat USF by at least 3-1.

Playing soccer on artificial turf of any kind is sacriligious...like playing NFL football indoors. It's just not right! You play soccer on real grass, period.

soccertom · Oct 10, 2003

Originally posted by LuvDaBears

I'll be shocked if Donigan's Diaper Dandies don't beat USF by at least 3-1.

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I'm really beginning to like LuvDaBears!

CentFLBilliken · Oct 11, 2003

I have seen USF play alot this year. Lately, Hunter West hardly plays anymore. Not sure if its due to injury or just in Coach Ks doghouse. SLU should win this game. USF plays almost as many Fr and Sophs as SLU, however USF is certainly capable of making this a game, considering how sloppy SLU has been in defending their home field. USF is coming off a huge win over UAB so they should be fairly confident.

soccertom · Oct 13, 2003

SLU defeats South Florida 2-1 in OT in front of 5,500 fans.

Wow this game could have and should have been an 8-0 win for SLU as they completely dominated SF. I will be suprised if South Florida wins more than one or two games the rest of the season.

After an opening 25 minute barrage that saw SLU outshoot SF by a 9-0 advantage the game was scoreless. SLU should have popped in 4 or 5 goals at this point in the match. With 30 seconds left in the first half South Florida scored on a nice counter attack which was one of the few sorties SF had in the half. SLU knotted the score @ the 62 minute mark with a flick on header by Vedad Ibesivic off a John DiRaimondo corner service. SLU had many more chances to win it in regulation but settled for an OT strike by Will John off a nifty feed from Vedad. SLU outshot SF by the ridiculously wide margin of 24-7 and basically toyed with the Bull's all game long.

Here is the game story,

http://slubillikens.ocsn.com/sports/m-soccer/recaps/101103aaa.html

I for one am enjoying this young SLU squad and hope they continue to improve as the season rolls along. The regular SLU Keeper Martin Hutton sat out his second straight game due to a hip injury and Kevin Wickart missed his 4th consectutive game nursing a bad groin. SLU played 9 freshman 4 Sophmores and 2 Seniors in the SF match.

Vedad Ibesivic is simply the best and brightest young player on the College scene that I have seen. "V" is unlucky not to have 15 goals @ this point in the season and that is with 2, 3 or 4 defenders draped all over him all game long. Ibesivic averages 5 shots a game against good defensive competition. Defense's can't seem to stop him and can only hope to contain him. I expect he will be gobbled up by MLS very soon....

Attacking Minded · Oct 13, 2003

Originally posted by soccertom
but settled for an OT strike by Will John off a nifty feed from Vedad.
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Let me guess. It was a shot from the right side of the feild using his left foot. He has a .22 rifle for a left foot.

kami · Oct 15, 2003

SLU Billikens Tabbed to Win C-USA Men's Soccer Title

Tom, I'm asking this more for my own edification but regarding your assesment of Vedad, what are his main attributes that peruades you that he will jump into the MLS soon? A couple I can think of is size, speed, and dribbling skills...but what sets him apart from other great forwards playing college ball currently?

soccertom · Oct 15, 2003

Re: SLU Billikens Tabbed to Win C-USA Men's Soccer Title

Originally posted by kami
Tom, I'm asking this more for my own edification but regarding your assesment of Vedad, what are his main attributes that peruades you that he will jump into the MLS soon? A couple I can think of is size, speed, and dribbling skills...but what sets him apart from other great forwards playing college ball currently?
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Vedad has the complete package,

Size @ 6' 2" 175
Speed.
Power.
Incredible dribbling skills performed @ high speed.
Strong in the air.
Confidence.
Fearless.
Great vision.

He is a definite future pro.

Attacking Minded · Oct 15, 2003

I've only seen him play twice but I will agree with the fearless part 100%. He has no qualms dribbling straight at the heart of the defense. As for vision? I don't think he uses his teammates well enough. However, that may be something that has improved since the begining of the year when I saw him play.

Will John has very good vision and can thread a pass through a defense. He reminds me of Kyle Martino. If he were bigger then I would rank him as the best SLU player.

soccertom · Oct 16, 2003

Originally posted by Attacking Minded
As for vision? I don't think he uses his teammates well enough. However, that may be something that has improved since the begining of the year when I saw him play.

Will John has very good vision and can thread a pass through a defense. He reminds me of Kyle Martino. If he were bigger then I would rank him as the best SLU player.
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Vedad has fantastic vision although as of yet he has failed to fully utilize it and thus suffers as a player and causes his team to miss opportunities. This is a process of learning for Vedad that will eventually make him a much more dangerous player.

Will John is a gifted player but in no way compares yet to Vedad as a pro prospect.

Sandon Mibut · Oct 16, 2003

Tom, with all of Vedad's talents, how long do you see him sticking around SLU? If he's as good as you say, is he on the Brad Davis plan?

Also, if John DiRaimando and Bryan Grazier want to make the jump to the U20 pool, they'll likely have to leave school early to turn pro, same goes for John if he wants to crack the 20s.

Any word on the down-the-road-a-bit plans of these kids?

soccertom · Oct 16, 2003

Originally posted by Sandon Mibut
Tom, with all of Vedad's talents, how long do you see him sticking around SLU? If he's as good as you say, is he on the Brad Davis plan?

Also, if John DiRaimando and Bryan Grazier want to make the jump to the U20 pool, they'll likely have to leave school early to turn pro, same goes for John if he wants to crack the 20s.

Any word on the down-the-road-a-bit plans of these kids?
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I have no current inside information on any of these kid's plans.

As for as immediate MLS potential only Ibesivic impresses me as having the physical tools to make the MLS jump at this point. All of them have impressive technical abilities.

I'm friends with DiRaimondo's Dad so I will ask him next time I see him. DiRaimondo certainly has pro potential but lacks the speed and strength. Ditto Will John. Brian Grazier is smooth on the ball and passes well but in my eyes is really lacking in physical strength and foot speed. Alex Matteson in my opinion is much stronger than Grazier, John and DiRaimondo and in my opinion projects out to be a more likely MLS product than Grazier and on par with John and DiRaimondo.

kami · Oct 17, 2003

SLU Billikens Tabbed to Win C-USA Men's Soccer Title

I can add a tiny bit to this. I talked to John D's uncle at one of the SLU games this year. I asked about John's plans for school. He said John would be at school for no less than three years and then make a decision about leaving or not.

Anybody going to the Indiana game next weeked?

LuvDaBears · Oct 17, 2003

Attacking minded...concerning Vedad, he's good....a dangerous forward, but to compare him with Martino is a real stretch. Martino has the best feet of any player I've seen in the last decade, and I know guys who have played with him at UVA that will tell you the same thing.
I've seen Vedad, and I know guys who have played against him. He's easier to defend because he doesn't have Martino's magical ability with the ball. The other thing, Vedad can drift in and out of games. Does he have potential, you bet, but he's not close to Martino.
However, I could definitely see him going P-40 and developing into a very good MLS striker because he is extremely quick.

Attacking Minded · Oct 17, 2003

Screeeeach!

Let's back this thing up. I was comparing Will John to Martino. And not in the sense that Will is Martino's equal but has his accurate passing and good turning ability. I see the same KIND of player in Will John and Martino.

Vedad reminds me of . . . . . Clint Dempsey in that they are both good at creating chances for themselves but aren't really the playmaker type.

soccertom · Oct 17, 2003

Hmmm...

Will John is similar to Kyle Martino with respect to their slight body frames and both players have silky gliding type moves and a feathery touch on the ball. John has more of a shooters mentality while Martino is certainly the better ball provider. John is still a long ways from being compared to the likes of Martino based mostly on John's relative inexperience and youth. Will John is still young and not yet physically mature and is only 18 years old. Lets wait a couple of years and see how Will developes.

Regarding Dempsey and Vedad I have only seen Dempsey play one time and although he is a good player whom I respect I do not rate him nearly as highly as I do Vedad. Ibesivic is a PRIME TIME PLAYER! He gives entire defenses fits and entire defenses must pay attention to him as a unit because Vedad is capable of skinning entire 4 man defenses on his own and he does just that every game and the defense knows he is going to do it. Vedad is a special player with special gifts. Clint Dempsey is not that type of player.

LuvDaBears · Oct 24, 2003

Go SLU, boo IU.

soccertom · Oct 24, 2003

SLU @ Indiana tonight 7:30 PM.

Nationally Televised on CSTV and Radio Coverage on FANS 590.

This will be a real barn burner of a soccer match as it always is when these two traditional powers hook-up. IU playing @ home is always tough to beat and adding in their long time rivalry with SLU should make for an intense effort from Jerry's boys. Indiana needs this game more than SLU to add to their NCAA resume. According to SLU's website the All-Time series between the 2 teams is tied @ 15-15-4. The Billikens won the last meeting, a 1-0 overtime triumph as Saint Louis captured the Hoosiers' tournament to kick off the 1999 season. The Billikens are 6-10-3 all-time against the Hoosiers in Bloomington. SLU's defense is still banged up although Dan Donigan indicated he hoped to have some injured players available vs IU.

Personally I hope SLU knocks the stuffing out of IU as IU has caused me much personal heartbreak over the years. That being said I always have a soft spot in my heart due to the ever pesent St. Louis connection of players and coaches associated with the IU program. Jerry Yeagley has always maintained that he modeled his IU program after the St. Louis Bill's program and has always remained gracious toward St. Louis U whilst often times beating the Bills @ their own game.

Go here to learn more about the SLU vs IU series,

http://slubillikens.ocsn.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/102003aaa.html

Pilkanozna · Oct 25, 2003

It may be too early, but does anyone know who the Billikens are recruiting for next year?