ST. LOUIS – Saint Louis junior forward Kingsley Bryce had a hand in all three Billiken goals as SLU defeated previously unbeaten Dayton 3-1 Saturday night in Atlantic 10 Conference men’s soccer action at Robert R. Hermann Stadium.

 

SLU improves to 8-3-1 overall and 2-0-1 in A-10 play. Dayton, which entered the weekend as one of four schools yet to lose a game, drops to 10-1-2 overall and 0-1-2 in league play.

 

Bryce scored twice and assisted on the third. Raymond Lee scored for the Billikens, and Alex Sweetin had two assists.

 

“Dayton was undefeated for a reason, they are a really good team,” SLU head coach Mike McGinty said. “Even though we tied last Sunday against George Washington, it felt like a loss, so this week has been a lot of hard work. Our reaction tonight was great.

 

“Alex Sweetin was fantastic tonight,” McGinty continued. “He made both those goals with his vision. Kingsley did a great job getting on the end of them. Both players really stepped up and took some responsibility to lead us to a win.”

 

Bryce put the Billikens on the board in the 29th minute thanks to the first of two assists from Sweetin. From the middle of the field, Sweetin slotted a perfect pass through the Dayton defense. With one touch, Bryce finished just inside the far post for a 1-0 SLU advantage.

 

That remained the score until after halftime, when Raymond Lee scored in the 65th minute on a goal once again set up by Sweetin. Sweetin sent the ball to the right flank for Bryce, who crossed it in for Lee who scored into the empty net.

 

Bryce made it 3-0 with his second goal of the game, his fifth of the year, in the 72nd minute. Robert Kristo fought off several Dayton defenders and forced the Flyer keeper off his line. Bryce collected the ball, beat the keeper, and went in all alone for the score.

 

Dayton applied pressure late in the match and got on the board in the 88th minute, but SLU hung on in the end for the 3-1 victory.

 

SLU keeper Nick Shackelford made six saves for his 33rd career victory. That moves him to third all time, tied with Ross Kaufman (2006-09), in the SLU record book.

 

The Billikens now hit the road for three straight matches, starting next weekend with A-10 tilts against St. Bonaventure (Friday, Oct. 25) and Duquesne (Sunday, Oct. 27). SLU plays at No. 5 Louisville on Thursday, Oct. 31.