PHILADELPHIA – The La Salle men's soccer team picked up a crucial point against Saint Louis in its first conference game of the season. The defense stood tall once again, earning its third shutout in the last five matches.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Saint Louis Billikens pressed heavily in the opening 15 minutes, getting many shots off.
• La Salle goalie Randy Burkhardt, making his first start of the season, made a diving close-range save in the sixth minute to keep it 0-0.
• The Explorers defense made a goal line clearance in the 10th minute to reject a dangerous Billikens opportunity. Burkhardt then made another save a minute later.
• The offense for La Salle had a few chances before half, but none were able to land on goal.
• After half, Sean Yurgel had a shot from inside that just nicked the top of the crossbar and went out of play in the 60^th minute.
• Kyrese Lynch-Bailey had a shot in the 71^st minute aimed at the near post that was saved by the Saint Louis goalie.
• Colin Beasley had a free-kick attempt in the 72^nd minute similar to his attempt that was a goal last Tuesday. However, this shot was saved by the goalie.
• After Saint Louis went down a man in the 82^nd minute, Burkhardt was called into action three minutes later with a save from a Billikens shot attempt.
• In the final seconds, the ball was fought for by both teams in the La Salle box, and Burkhardt scooped up the ball as time expired.

GAME NOTES

• Burkhardt made five saves in his second-ever start in a La Salle uniform, and his first clean sheet when repping the Blue and Gold.
• This was the team's fourth clean sheet of the season so far. Last year, the team had five all season.
• Lynch-Bailey led the team in shots with two.
• Besides Lynch-Bailey and Beasley, Nevin Baer was the only Explorer to get a shot on goal.

UP NEXT

• The Explorer team concludes its three-game homestand at McCarthy Stadium, Tuesday night when it plays against Lafayette. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m., and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.