This spring is a time of transition for the women’s soccer team.

The Billikens are without seniors Lori Richardson, Kathleen Schager and Kelly Young, and have yet to see what the incoming freshmen will add to the team.

Everyone on the team has an opportunity to prove herself.

“It was a great opportunity to get those who don’t play much a lot of playing time,” said coach Tim Champion.

Saint Louis University opened its spring soccer season against Indiana University last Saturday night at Robert R. Hermann Stadium.

The Billikens had the first chance to score two minutes into the contest.

Sophomore midfielder Mandy Trokey curved a low corner kick across the box and on goal.

But the Hoosiers were able to collect the ball before it reached the net.

Indiana scored first with three minutes left in the first half. The ball rolled to the top of the box. Indiana buried a low line drive past goalie Meghann Burke.

SLU attacked Indiana early in the second half, but failed to score.

The Hoosiers scored again with two minutes left in the game. Indiana took a corner kick from the near side. The ball was deflected and rolled to the front of the goal. Indiana scored on a low shot.

“The spring forces you to let all your players play,” Champion said. “It’s a training period. We can see them play against good competition.”

Even though SLU lost, positives could be taken from the contest.

“It’s great to play,” Burke said. “The games give the spring season meaning. It gave our leaders a chance to step up and lead, and those who don’t play, a chance to prove themselves. We have to pay our dues now so that it’ll pay off later. If we don’t pinpoint our weaknesses now, they’ll show in the future.”

“We have to start somewhere,” said sophomore midfielder Shannon Myers. “It tells us where we stand. It’ll take some getting used to. By no means do we expect to be playing like we would after three weeks of preseason practices.”

“We’re just trying to get everyone an opportunity to play and fill in the spots we have left. With Indiana, we just wanted to go out and have a good match,” said Trokey.

“Everyone has a chance to see where they’ll play. It’s going to be OK. It’ll just take time.”

The Billikens host a doubleheader on Saturday, playing the University of Nebraska-Omaha at 9 a.m. and Purdue University at 1 p.m.

“Omaha is a lot like SIU-Edwardsville. They’re a solid Division II program,” Champion said.

“Purdue is a really good team. They finished fourth or fifth in the Big Ten. They’re a young team,” Champion said.

“Purdue didn’t lose any seniors. They’re comparable to Indiana. It’s a chance for our players to play against a good team.”