With four games remaining and the seeds for the Conference USA tournament still up in the air, the Saint Louis University women’s soccer team controlled its fate. The Billikens played their trademark stifling defense and capitalized on offense as they were 3-0-1 in those games. They finished 8-0-3 in C-USA matches and secured the second seed in the upcoming C-USA tournament at Robert R. Hermann Stadium.
In the final homestand of the season, the Billikens faced Memphis last Friday and Alabama-Birmingham last Sunday on Senior Day.
The Billikens scored early against the Tigers. Kelly Young collected the ball around the center the circle. She passed to Jenny Kehl with pinpoint accuracy. Kehl redirected the ball to Katie Zaegel in the far side of the box. Zaegel took a quick shot from the far side and scored inside the near post for the 1-0 lead.
SLU struck 14 minutes later. Kehl hit a free kick from 30 yards out. Her shot from the near side curled inside the near post to give the Billikens a 2-0 win.
Kehl gave the Billikens a 3-0 lead eight minutes later. Kehl gained possession along the near sideline and used her speed to create the scoring chance. She had two defenders on her in the box. The first tried to tackle Kehl but failed.
Kehl hit the ball through the second defender’s legs and found herself wide open. She took a five-yard shot that went in over the diving goalie.
Jen Thiele hit a arching 40-yard shot that went in just under the crossbar for Memphis to cut the lead to 3-1.
The Billikens dominated the rest of the match for the 3-1 win.
“We played great in the first half,” said head coach Tim Champion. “We took them to town. I’m happy with the way we played. We were dangerous and moved the ball well.”
SLU then faced UAB on Senior Day. Young, Kathleen Schager and Lori Richardson played their final regular-season match at Robert R. Hermann Stadium. They went out victorious in their collegiate finale, beating the Blazers 3-1.
SLU scored 25 minutes into the contest. Melissa Gossman gained possession after a corner kick was knocked around the box. Gossman hit a lead pass that Mandy Trokey let go through her legs. The pass found Kehl, who hit a laser from 12 yards out for the 1-0 lead.
UAB tied the match eight minutes later. Denise Peters threw the ball in to Stephanie Davis. Davis headed the ball past goalie Meghann Burke, who had come out to defend the play.
The Billikens regained the lead in the second half. Kathy Musschoot brought the ball up the far side and hit a pass into the box. Shannon Myers redirected the pass into the net 17 minutes into the second half.
Katie Zaegel put the game out of reach with 10 minutes remaining. Kehl found Trokey on the far side. Trokey quickly passed to Zaegel, who beat the keeper.
“It was a good game for us,” Champion said. “We had to play through things. It was a good way to end conference.”
Kehl notched eight points on the weekend and was named Co-Offensive Player of the Week in C-USA.
The Billikens embarked on their final roadtrip in the conference with games at DePaul on Oct. 13 and at Marquette on Oct. 15.
Despite the conditions that the Billikens had to endure at DePaul-an uneven field with a ditch on one sideline, a softball field that covered two-thirds of the Billikens defensive third in the second half, and the El train running past the field every 15 minutes-the Billikens prevailed 1-0 in the tough road contest.
After a SLU corner kick was knocked around, the ball came to Megan McNiff. She passed it out to Kehl past the top of the box. Kehl hit a long drive that was partially deflected. The shot went in just under the crossbar and over the goalie’s hands.
“We played hard,” Champion said. “We had control and finished. It was just a matter of finishing. It was a game we had to win.”
The Billikens played nationally ranked Marquette to a scoreless draw. It was a matchup of two teams that play similar styles. Both teams used strong defensive efforts to secure the tie. Burke recorded six saves for SLU.
The Billikens dominated possession in the game and put pressure on the Golden Eagles’ defense, especially in the first half. The Billikens used their speed to create scoring opportunities.
“It was as even a game as I’ve been a part of,” Champion said. “We played well. That bodes well going into the postseason. Moving Kehl up top will benefit us in the long run.”
The Billikens play their final match of the season as they travel to Wisconsin on Oct. 28.
“They’re a very strong, physical team,” Champion said. “They’re fast. It will be a tough game. It will help us prepare for the conference tournament.”
