The Saint Louis University women’s soccer team continued to prove themselves last weekend.

The Billikens split a double-header on Saturday, defeating the University of Nebraska-Omaha, 2-0, and losing to Purdue University, 1-0.

The Billikens scored midway through the first half. Sophomore midfielder Mandy Trokey took a low corner kick from the near side. Her shot curled on goal and was tipped by the goalkeeper. The keeper scrambled to gain control of he ball, but was unable to and watched the ball trickle across the goal line.

The Billikens had a strong scoring chance 11 minutes later. Freshman forward Anne Lucier hit a pass crossfield to Trokey.

Trokey hit a low shot on goal that was stopped. The rebound rolled out,but was stopped by Omaha.

SLU had another solid scoring chance three minutes later.

Freshman forward Lindsay Potrafke hit a through ball past three Omaha defenders to Lucier up the far side. Lucier took a low shot that went wide of the near post.

The Billikens scored six minutes into the second half. Potrafke found freshman forward Beth Nabozny. Nabozny’s low shot was stopped.

Freshman midfielder Molly Schoeplein collected the rebound and scored in the open net inside the near post.

The goalie dove to save the initial shot and was unable to regain her balance to stop the rebound.

“This game gave our younger kids a chance to play,” said coach Tim Champion. “It’ll give us a clear picture of who can play and who can’t.”

In the afternoon game, Purdue scored six minutes into the contest. Purdue chipped the ball into SLU’s half, leading to a breakaway.

Purdue scored on a high shot that goalie Meghann Burke got her fingertips on, but couldn’t stop.

SLU dominated the game and controlled possession throughout. The Billikens moved the ball well, but were unable to score.

“We played well,” Champion said. “I thought we played better than they did. We just gave up a weak goal.”

The weekend proved beneficial for the improvement of SLU’s younger players.

“It was better than the weekend before,” Champion said. “I’m happy with the way we played. We controlled the ball in both games. Our younger players showed that they would be an important factor next year.”

“I don’t think we’ve hit the point where we’re playing as a team yet,” said Burke. “But we played better.”

The Billikens go on the road for the first time this spring. SLU travels to Illinois to play Iowa and Notre Dame.

“Iowa’s comparable to Indiana and Purdue,” Champion said. “It’ll be a physical game.”

“We’ll have to step it up against Notre Dame. They’re one of the top three teams in the country. It’ll be a good indicator of where we are.”