Like the pouring rain hitting the empty bleachers, the Saint Louis University women’s soccer team pelted Southeast Missouri State goalie Tami Hebert with 14 shots and won their lone exhibition match, 2-0.
The Billikens dominated play from the beginning. Sharp passes and quick give-and-goes generated scoring opportunities early.
The Billikens scored ten minutes into the game. Katie Zaegel took a lead pass from Jenny Kehl. Zaegel broke in and buried a shot in the near corner from 12 yards out.
SLU continued to threaten in the first half. Many chances were broken up by the defense.
The Billikens added to their lead with 11 minutes left in the first half.
Shannon Myers took the restart and hit a laser right on goal. Hebert made the save, but couldn’t control the rebound. The ball bounced to Anne Lucier.
Lucier knocked the rebound inside the near post for SLU’s final goal of the game.
Even though SLU failed to score in the second half, the Bills had many chances.
Fourteen minutes into the second half, Kathy Musschoot took a corner kick. She hit a good ball into the box.
Zaegel and Mandy Trokey had the best scoring chances during that possession.
SLU had three solid chances, but each one was stopped by the SEMO defense before they reached Hebert.
The score didn’t show how dominant the Billikens were. SLU had 10 corner kicks to SEMO’s zero. The Billikens defense, led by Kelly Young and Meghann Burke, completely shut down the Indians offensive attack.
SLU didn’t allow a shot on goal in the second half and held SEMO to two shots the entire match.
Coach Tim Champion was satisfied with the team’s effort.
“It wasn’t bad for a first game,” Champion said.
“We have a long way to go. I was happy that the incoming freshmen played well. We played well defensively. But we need to be more forceful up top.”
The Billikens open the defense of their Conference USA championship with a home match against Drury on Aug. 25 at 7:00 p.m.
The Billikens look to continue the success the have had against Drury. SLU won a physical game last season, 2-1.
SLU follows that with a home game against Creighton on Sun., Aug 27 at 1:00 p.m. The two teams have never met.
“We’re ready to play,” Champion said.
“We’re looking forward to playing. We should do well against these teams.
“The main thing is that we have almost everybody back. The biggest thing right now is getting back to playing.”
