George Washington University

Oct. 17, 2010

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WASHINGTON, DC - In a microcosm of a hard luck season for the George Washington men's soccer team, junior forward Yoni Berhanu had shots hit the crossbar and post and the Colonials couldn't capitalize on an 11-8 shot advantage in a 1-0 loss to Saint Louis in an Atlantic 10 match at Mount Vernon Field Sunday.

Saint Louis (4-5-2, 2-2-0 A-10) snapped a two-game conference skid behind Devon Newport's 17th minute goal assisted by Alex Sweetin.

Berhanu had the game's first scoring opportunity just a minute and a half prior to the Billikens goal when he picked off a poor back pass by defender Chad Vandegriffe for a one-on-one with SLU goalkeeper Mark Pais. Pais charged to cut the angle, slid and kicked away Berhanu's shot to keep the match scoreless.

SLU countered moments later when Sweetin got free down the right wing. GW goalkeeper Brendan Lafferty charged and slid, but Sweetin was able to slip a pass underneath Lafferty toward goal. Defender Jake Davis raced back and turned to clear the ball off the goal line, but Newport was there to deflect a shot into goal for the game-winner.

GW (2-10-0, 0-3-0 A-10) won a corner with less than 15 minutes left in the first half, but Pais punched away freshman Abdul Shaban's dangerous in-swinger. Berhanu took the high ball on the volley and belted the crossbar from 20 yards away.

The Colonials then were awarded a direct free kick from 22 yards out as the period went under the 8:00 mark. Berhanu sought the left corner with his bending right-footed shot, but this time struck the left post and clapped his hands in frustration.

After being outshot, 6-4, by the Billikens over the opening 45 minutes, the Colonials played perhaps their best closing 45 minutes of the season, maintaining the majority of possession while holding a 7-2 edge in shots.

However, GW only got one of those seven shots on target - rookie Bailey Hinners' 30-yard crack was turned away by a diving Pais in the 85th minute. Pais finished with two saves in earning the clean sheet.

Lafferty made three saves in his first start since a season-opening loss against George Mason Sept. 1.

GW completes its home schedule with A-10 home matches next weekend. The Colonials host Fordham at 3:00 pm Friday, then welcome La Salle for Senior Day Sunday at 1:00 pm.