A college soccer sleeping giant has awoken from its long slumber as Saint Louis ends a 28-year NCAA tournament drought. And with the Billikens, who have the most national championships with ten, last lifting the title in 1973, this team has a chance to begin a new era of dominance.

But while a giant on paper, this year’s story has placed the A10 champions in the role of David fighting Goliath with one unlikely victory after another. Starting with the A10 tournament final against Dayton, where the team was down 1-0 with 8 minutes remaining, the team scored an equalizer and eventually won in penalty kicks. Saint Louis then scored an equalizer in the 86th minute of the First Round versus Kentucky, hit the road to defeat an Indiana team they lost to in the regular season, took down Bryant in penalty kicks, and then overturned a 2-0 halftime deficit to advance past Akron in the Elite Eight.

At every turn, this iteration of the Billikens has shown incredible mental strength, with just two losses despite 19 of their 23 games being decided by 1 goal or fewer. The resiliency built from that run, coupled with an ability to survive close matches, makes Saint Louis arguably the most feared team remaining.

Ten Key Moments:

9/03/2025 - 1-0 loss to Indiana is the first of the season. Would avenge in NCAA Tournament.

9/20/2025 - 1-0 A10 opening victory over Duquesne means each of the first eight games were decided by one goal or fewer.

9/23/2025 - 3-0 loss to Akron is the first game decided by more than a goal. Would avenge in NCAA Tournament.

10/16/2025 - Jeremi Abonnel comes in at No. 42 in the TDS Midseason Player Rankings. No. 64 Quinten Blair follows.

10/17/2025 - No. 82 Theo Franca and No. 88 Nick Schramm both make the TDS Freshman Player Rankings.

11/01/2025 - Draws Rhode Island 1-1 to earn a share of the regular season title.

11/11/2025 - The A10 All-Conference recipients are recognized with Goalkeeper of the Year Jeremi Abonnel and Coach of the Year Kevin Kalish leading the way. Joining on the list are Drake Fournier, Abdoul Karim Pare, Carlos Leatherman, Jack DiMaria, and Nick Schramm.

11/16/2025 - Defeats Dayton in penalty kicks to do the A-10 Double.

11/20/2025 - Opens the NCAA tournament with 2-1 overtime over Kentucky.

12/06/2025 - Down 2-0 at half time, Saint Louis stages dramatic 3-2 comeback to reach first College Cup in 28 years.

Ten Key Statistics:

• Saint Louis leads NCAA DI with ten College Cup titles.

• Saint Louis is playing in its first College Cup since 1997.

• 19 of 23 games have been decided by one goal or fewer.

• 2-0 in penalty shootout this season.

• Survived three consecutive road games to reach College Cup.

• Theo Franca and Quinten Blair are tied for the team lead with five goals each.

• Blair, a center back, has converted all four penalties he has taken this season.

• Andrew Heckenlaible and Carlos Leatherman are tied for the team lead with four assists each.

• Goalkeeper Jeremmi Abonnel is only to have started all 23 games for team.

• 19 players have started at least one game.

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