CARY, N.C. – Saint Louis' storied run in NCAA Men's Soccer Championship came to a close tonight with a 2-1 loss against NC State in a Men's College Cup semifinal matchup at First Horizon Stadium in Cary, N.C.

The Billikens conclude their season with a 13-3-8 overall record. NC State (16-2-4) advances to Monday's national championship game, where it will face Washington.

It was the Billikens' 52nd appearance all-time in the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship, an NCAA record. SLU advanced through the tournament to the College Cup for at the 17th time in its history and the first since 1997.

All of the scoring came in the second half. NC State leading scorer and All-American Donavan Phillip started the scoring with a goal in the 69th minute. Moments later, Taig Healy made it 2-0 Wolfpack with the eventual game-winning goal.

The Billikens got one back in the 81st minute. Tanner Anderson was taken down in the box, giving SLU a penalty kick. Quinten Blair buried the chance, his team-leading sixth goal of the season.

SLU continued to pressure and had several more chances down the stretch, including a shot by Drake Fournier that was deflected and sailed just wide for a Billiken corner kick. But the Bills were unable to get another one through on the NC State defense. 

Jeremi Abonnel made five saves in his final game as a Billiken, several of them dazzling. He stopped an NC State penalty kick in the second half, the fourth time (out of five tries) this season that he stopped a PK in regulation.

Neither team found the back of the net in the opening half, and possession was fairly split down the middle. NC State managed eight shots, including one on goal that Abonnel turned aside. NC State ended up out-shooting the Billikens 20-5 in the match and held an 11-3 advantage in corner kicks.