The Saint Louis University women’s soccer team did what it does best this weekend.
The Billikens displayed their trademark suffocating defense and solid ball movement, as their unbeaten streak reached four games. SLU tied UNC-Charlotte 0-0 last Friday and defeated South Florida 2-0 last Sunday.
The Billikens knew that their backs would have to clamp down in order to stop Jill Currie of Charlotte and Siri Nordby of South Florida in order to win.
“It was a tough weekend,” said centerback Megan McNiff. “We played against two really talented forwards-two of the best in the conference. We showed two of the best teams in the conference that we can play [with them].”
“It was one of our best defensive weekends,” said sweeper Kelly Young. “Melissa (Gossman), Katie (McDonnell) and Megan (McNiff) really stepped it up. Against Charlotte, their forwards barely got the ball.”
Even though SLU tied Charlotte, the Billikens dominated the 49ers.
“We played well all weekend,” said head coach Tim Champion. “We played Charlotte in a downpour. They tried to play high pressure against us. We had the ball most of the time.”
“We moved the ball really well,” Champion added. “If we finish, we win. That might have been Kathleen Schager’s best game. She really took control of the midfield.”
The Bills outshot the 49ers 12-8 and had seven corner kicks to Charlotte’s three.
SLU finished the weekend at South Florida. The Billikens scored in the 27th minute. Mandy Trokey gathered the loose ball in the box and found Beth Moberg for the 1-0 lead.
“We moved the ball well in the back and applied a lot of pressure,” Champion said.
SLU added an insurance goal in the 62nd minute. Lindsay Potrafke gathered a Billikens’ corner kick and found Schager. Schager buried the shot from 12 yards out.
Meghann Burke recorded both shutouts for the Billikens and tied the record for career shutouts with 15.
“It was a different type of game.We played in 90-degree weather against low pressure,” Champion said. “We adjusted our style. The midfield and backs played well. We finished a couple chances early and kept the ball throughout the game.”
“They didn’t create against us,” Champion added. “We had good results against different styles.”
“We didn’t give them too many chances,” said back McDonnell. “We played well and had time to pass. Even in the bad weather, we adapted. We talked well. A lot of communication helped us to shut them down.”
“We played really smart this weekend,” said back Gossman. “For our conference games, we had to come out and not give up opportunities.”
But something else of greater significance happened to the Billikens last weekend.
“As a team we’re getting to where we want to be at,” Champion said. “The defense didn’t give up anything dangerous. We’re playing better as a team.”
“We were just waiting for that weekend where we came together,” McNiff said. “That happened this weekend.”
The Billikens hope to continue their success as they return home to face Louisville, Cincinnati and Evansville.
Louisville visits Robert R. Hermann Stadium on Friday at 7 p.m. The Cardinals are 1-9 overall and 0-4 in C-USA games.
“That is a game we need to win. They aren’t one of the better teams in the conference,” Champion said.
SLU plays Cincinnati on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Bearcats are 6-4 overall and 3-1 in C-USA matches. The Bearcats are right behind the Billikens in the standings.
“Cincinnati gives us problems every year,” Champion said. “We’ve never beaten them. We need to have a good weekend. This game is the start of four tough games for us. The way we’re playing now, we can win all four.”
