Murphy’s goal lifts SIUE to victory in Bronze Boot Game with QND’s all-state lineage on display

ST. LOUIS — Mitchell Murphy owns the bragging rights this time around.

A magical goal gave him that.

The former Quincy Notre Dame all-state soccer player netted the game-winning goal five minutes into the second half of Saturday night’s Bronze Boot Game against Saint Louis University, powering SIU-Edwardsville to a 2-0 victory at CityPark, the home of the St. Louis CITY S.C. franchise.

This was SIUE’s first victory in the series since Oct. 29, 1982, and gave the Cougars possession of the Joseph Carenza Sr. Trophy, which features a bronze boot on the top.

The game also featured a reunion of QND’s past three all-state selections. Seth Anderson is a junior at SLU and his brother, Tanner, is a freshman with the Billikens. Seth Anderson attempted one shot in 78 minutes of play, while Tanner Anderson came off the bench to attempt one shot in 17 minutes.

Murphy had two shots in 79 minutes.

This was the third head-to-head meeting between Murphy, who transferred to SIUE from SMU, and Seth Anderson. The Billikens won 4-1 last season and the teams tied 1-1 in 2021. Anderson scored a goal in each of those games.

Scoreless at halftime, the Cougars applied consistent pressure to start the second half with Andres Delascio taking possession in the right corner. He crossed a pass to the right edge of the box, where Murphy redirected it between the goalkeeper and the near post for the first goal.

It was Murphy’s first goal of the season as the Cougars are off to a 3-0 start. He had an assist in a 3-1 victory over Butler. It was his fifth career goal.

The Cougars tacked on a goal in the 73rd minute and rode out the shutout.