ST. LOUIS – In a thrilling match on Thursday night, Kansas City defeated Saint Louis 2-0, advancing in the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship. The game took place at Hermann Stadium, where the Billikens finished their season with a record of 8-5-8 while Kansas City improved their record to an impressive 13-4-3.
The match started off strong for Saint Louis, who came out aggressively, outshooting Kansas City 9-3 in the first half. Despite their efforts, they were unable to find the back of the net. The turning point came in the second half. In the 67th minute, Kansas City capitalized on a corner kick taken by Julien Le Bourdoulous. Guille Munoz expertly headed the ball in, giving the Roos a 1-0 lead.
As the game progressed, Kansas City continued to press their advantage. In the 83rd minute, Jeremy Francou added another goal, scoring off an assist from Eli Kisoka, sealing the victory at 2-0. Saint Louis managed to finish the match with a total of 14 shots compared to Kansas City’s 13, demonstrating their persistent efforts throughout the contest. Additionally, SLU held a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.
One standout player for Kansas City was goalkeeper Brandon McGaugh, who made six crucial saves, ensuring his team maintained a clean sheet. The Roos will now look ahead as they prepare to face Missouri State in the second round on Sunday night, while Saint Louis reflects on a season filled with close calls and strong performances.
