BRONX, N.Y. – Fresh off a ranked road victory this past weekend, the Fordham men's soccer team will return to action on Wednesday night when it plays host to Saint Louis. Kick-off from Moglia Stadium is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+ with James Birle and Mike Smolens on the call.
Fordham (4-3-3, 1-1-1 A-10) returns to the Bronx on the heels of a Saturday win at No. 23 VCU, the program's first victory over a ranked opponent since 2017. The win was not the Rams' first ranked result of the season; however, as Fordham played then-No. 17 Hofstra to a scoreless draw in the team's season opener on Aug. 22.
Louis Lehr provided all the offense necessary for the Rams to prevail in Richmond, as the graduate student buried a rebound off a blocked Andre Insalaco shot in the 41st minute. It marked Lehr's first goal of the season and his second overall as a Ram.
Carter Abbott registered his third solo shutout of the season between the pipes, turning aside all five VCU shots on goal. Four of the graduate student's saves came in the second half, helping the Rams hang on for the ranked road win.
The loss was VCU's first at home this year and marked just its third A-10 loss in the last three seasons.
Saint Louis (4-2-4, 2-0-1 A-10) enters the weekend ranked second in the league standings following back-to-back home wins over Loyola Chicago and Duquesne. The Billikens are unbeaten in their last six games (3-0-3) and have not lost since a 1-0 defeat at the hands of SIU-Edwardsville on Sept. 8.
The Billikens boast one of the nation's stingiest defenses, allowing just six goals in 10 games with five shutouts. Senior goalkeeper Jeremi Abonnel, who has played every minute in goal for Saint Louis this season, is tied for sixth nationally with a 0.60 goals against average.
Offensively, the Billikens are paced by senior forward Luis Lara, who is tied for fifth in the conference with five goals on the season. Classmate Seth Anderson ranks second on the team in points despite having yet to score this fall, as he leads the league with six assists.
Fordham is 6-10-1 against Saint Louis since the Billikens joined the Atlantic 10 in 2005. The Rams are in search of their first home win against Saint Louis since 2008.
