CINCINNATI – Saint Louis junior forward Kingsley Bryce scored in double overtime to vault the No. 7 Billikens past Northern Illinois 1-0 Sunday at the Bearcat Soccer Classic at Cincinnati’s Gettler Field.

The Billikens move to 3-0 on the season, their best start since the 2003 squad began the year 6-0. Northern Illinois dips to 2-2.

“This was an important result for us,” SLU head coach Mike McGinty said. “NIU made it tough. We had 24 shots, 10 corners and cleared a ball off the line. We played well in regulation and did everything but score.

“It was a great play by Kingsley to get the win for us,” McGinty said. “We showed a lot heart, character and determination today. We played with the winning mentality that we have been preaching.”

Saint Louis outshot the Huskies 24-11 and held a 10-3 advantage in corner kicks, but the game went into overtime before the Billikens were able to put it away. In the 105th minute, senior midfielder Alex Sweetin sent a ball into the box for junior forward Robert Kristo. He flicked it on to Bryce, who tapped it over the defense and over the line for the golden goal.

The Billiken defense was strong once again, fighting away all 11 of NIU’s chances. SLU goalkeeper Nick Shackelfordposted one save for his second-straight shutout.

Kristo fired a game-high nine shots, including three on frame. The Billikens’ 24 shots were the most since 2009 when the Billikens fired 24 at La Salle in what also ended up being a 1-0 victory.

SLU returns to action Wednesday, Sept. 11, when it travels to Evansville to face the Purple Aces. Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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