Slow Start Results in Men's Soccer's First Loss at Saint Louis

ST. LOUIS – It was a devastating 8-plus minutes for Marquette midway through the first half in which host Saint Louis tallied all three scores en route to a 3-1 win at Hermann Stadium on Tuesday.

Junior Luka Prpa notched his first goal of the season on the Golden Eagles' (2-1-0) first shot of the match in the 40th minute and that was all the offense they were able to muster against a stout Billikens (1-1-1) defense on Tuesday.

It was a forgettable 8 minutes for a young back line playing its first away match of the campaign. After Eric Davies got SLU on the board in the 19th minute, Anthony Brown connected on his third of the season just 6 minutes later. Then, Leo Novaes made it 3-0 in the 28th. The defense recovered by keeping the Billiken offense at bay the rest of the way, but the damage was done.

Prpa's gave the offense some hope with his goal, which came on a free kick that was tucked away inside the near right post from about 20 yards out. It was the team's first shot of the night and they would muster just two more, being outshot by the hosts, 10-3.

Freshman Cedrik Stern was tested right out of the gate in his first career start at goalkeeper, making an impressive diving save chance to keep the game scoreless in the sixth minute. He finished the night with three saves in his collegiate debut.

The Golden Eagles return to action quickly, hosting Penn on Friday, Sept. 7. Kickoff is slated for a 7:05 p.m. Central time start at Valley Fields, where MU is 2-0 so far this year.

Keep up with the Marquette men's soccer program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteSoccer) and Instagram (@MarquetteSoccer) and `liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteSoccer).

Coach Bennett discusses the disappointing result from tonight's 3-1 setback at Saint Louis. pic.twitter.com/3L3gCcSkMZ
— Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) September 5, 2018

GOAL SUMMARY
19' | SLU | Eric Davies (Ben Huels)

25' | SLU | Anthony Brown (Ben Huels)

28' | SLU | Leo Novaes (Anthony Brown)

40' | MU | Luka Prpa (unassisted)

🎥 Check out the brilliant first-half goal by @Luka_Prpa! The 12th of his career. #MarquetteSoccer pic.twitter.com/0hGmUgTtO4
— Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) September 5, 2018