The NIU men’s soccer team opened the 1992 season with a 3-1 road loss to St. Louis University last night.

Coach Willy Roy said it was a disappointing loss. “We played an excellent team tonight,” he added. “They are a better team than us but not three goals better.”

He blamed nervousness on the part of the Huskies as a large part of the three-goal loss. While the freshmen did not show the nerves that the older Huskies did, Roy felt that his team was intimidated by the Billikens.

The Huskies held St. Louis in check for the first 20 minutes of the match until forward Brian McBride connected on a 16-yard shot past Huskie goalie Danny Green. That was the only score of the first half.

Four minutes into the second half, Jeff Davis made it 2-0 on a 25-yard shot that Roy said was the only goal the Billikens earned.

St. Louis finished the scoring with a goal by Chris Sertel on an assist from McBride.

The Huskies had several excellent scoring chances that Roy said were spoiled by nervousness. Sophomore Derek Niepomnik missed a goal because he was “too excited,” according to Roy.

Overall, Roy said he was not so disappointed with the loss but rather his team did not “play up to par.” He was pleased with the play of Niepomnik and senior Ken Hoffman.

Roy also liked the play of freshmen Chris Trepina, Charles Martel and Brian Reinheimer, who were not as intimidated as the rest of the team was of St. Louis.

St. Louis “set the tone for the rest of the season” as Roy will look forward to get back on to grass Sunday after playing on the astroturf last night.

NIU goalkeeper Danny Green made his first start last night and SLU goalie Jay Zaber had the shutout. 1,087 were in attendance to see the Huskies season opener.

Next up for NIU is Illinois State University Sunday at 2 p.m. in Normal.