Everything counts from now on.

The Saint Louis University women’s soccer team wrapped up its preseason schedule last night with a 6-0 trouncing of Lindenwood.

The Billikens feel that the preseason contests provided a solid preparation for the upcoming season.

“With two games under our belt, I feel we’re ready for the season,” said goalkeeper Meghann Burke. “We played really well. The freshmen stepped up and the upperclassmen took control.”

Freshman forward Jamie Perry led the Billikens’ attack with a hat trick.

The Billikens tied Southeast Missouri State in their first preseason tilt last Friday, 0-0.

Perry has learned from the experience of her upperclass teammates.

“All through the preseason, Jenny Kehl and I have played together,” said Perry. “We’re already clicking. With more practice, we’ll become a better combination.”

SLU wasted no time in jumping on the Lions. Barely two minutes into the contest, Perry gave the Billikens a 1-0 lead. Perry took a shot that was stopped.

Perry regained the rebound and fired a shin-high shot past the near post from 12 yards out.

The Billikens notched another goal 24 minutes later. Jenny Kehl raced up the near side and fed Perry. She curled the shot inside the far post from eight yards.

The second half began the way the first half ended-with the Billikens completely dominating play.

Perry completed her hat trick three minutes into the half. Kehl fired a low shot that Lindenwood keeper Tish Martin stopped.

Martin failed to control the rebound. Perry collected the loose ball and scored into the open net.

Seven minutes later, Kehl gave the Billikens a 4-0 lead. Burke hit a 75-yard punt. A Lindenwood defender misplayed the ball.

Kehl slid off the defender and broke in on goal alone. Martin came out to play the ball, but was helpless. Kehl blistered a low shot inside the far post.

SLU made the score 5-0 with 25 minutes left in the contest. Sophomore forward Laurie Kaminski hit a perfect lead pass to freshman forward Blair Douglass. She broke in alone and beat Martin low, inside the post.

Sophomore midfielder Molly Schoeplein rounded out the scoring for SLU.

Freshman midfielder Lauren Rosenfeld hit a left-footed cross to Schoeplein. She hit a half-volley into the back of the net.

“We moved the ball well,” said coach Tim Champion. “I’m happy with the way we played defensively. Our strikers took people on. I’m really happy with how Kehl and Perry played together.

“Perry had a great game,” Champion added. “All our freshman played well. And our upperclassmen did a good job of leading and controlling the tempo. Hopefully, this will carry over to Creighton.”

“We needed this after the SEMO game,” said senior midfielder Ismahan Mohsen. “This will really help us. This will get us up going into the season. We came together as a whole team. We’ve blended really well as a team.”

The Billikens peppered the Lions with 22 shots and only allowed one shot on goal late in the game.

“I’m really proud of the team,” said Burke. “We’ve battled through a lot already. We’re ready to go more so than before. We’re in the right physical shape, but we also have a good mental outlook.”

The Billikens built off their first game against the SEMO Otahkians last Friday. SLU’s defense was steady, allowing only three shots on goal.

The match was a back-and-forth battle in the early minutes. The Billikens generated the best scoring chances throughout the contest.

Thirteen minutes into the contest, Kehl got behind the SEMO defense, gathered a through ball, and blasted a low laser on goal that goalie Beth Guccione collected.

Junior forward Mandy Trokey led Perry with 14 minutes left in the first half.

Perry tipped the ball to sophomore forward Anny Lucier. The SEMO defense broke up the play before a solid shot could be taken.

The Billiken defense looked strong in the first half, as Champion subbed often to keep the backs fresh.

SLU looked as if it would tally the first score of the game. Perry restarted action with a throw-in just three minutes into the half.

Kehl gained control and deked and glided by a defender. She moved in on goal and got a low shot off.

With just less than two minutes left in the game, sophomore Laurie Kaminski headed a SEMO ball to Schoeplein.

She headed it forward. Kehl collected the loose ball and beat a SEMO defender. Guccione came out and stopped the low shot

“We played OK on defense, but not with the flair up top that we had against Lindenwood,” said Champion. “And we didn’t move the ball as well in the midfield. SEMO played hard. The first game is always tough.”

The Billikens open the regular season at Creighton on Monday, Sept. 3 in Omaha at 1 p.m.

“They’ll be a good team,” said Champion. “They picked up a lot of players. The hardest thing is that we play our first games on the road. It’ll be a physical game. They’ll be direct and play hard.”