Two losses equal success. The Saint Louis University women’s soccer team hopes that this equation will play out over the season.
The Billikens dropped both games in the Virginia Classic in Charlottesville, VA this past weekend. Auburn defeated SLU 2-1 last Friday and West Virginia prevailed 2-1 in double overtime on Sunday.
“We realized that on any given day, we can lose to any team, or we can beat anyone we play,” said goalie Meghann Burke. “We knew that we didn’t play well in the first game, but we rebounded quickly and took a Top 25 team to double overtime on Sunday.”
On Friday, Auburn struck first, with just two minutes left in the first half. Jennifer Walters hit an unassisted 20-yard blast just under the crossbar.
Junior back Megan McNiff tied the contest six minutes into the second half. Junior midfielder Mandy Trokey hit a corner kick into the box.
McNiff made a diagonal run from the top of the box. The kick found McNiff, who pounded a header into the back of the net.
The Tigers regained the lead just four minutes later. Ginger Sellick brought the ball up the left side and served it to Gretchen Winter. She one-timed a shot past Burke for the game-winner.
SLU struck first against the West Virginia Mountaineers on Sunday. Nine minutes into the second half, freshman midfielder Ellen Gerweck threw the ball in on the far side. She found junior forward Jenny Kehl.
Kehl moved along the endline, spun through a pair of West Virginia defenders and was able to angle a shot past keeper Melissa Haire.
West Virginia tied the contest 12 minutes later. Rachel Kruze served the ball into the box. Katie Barnes headed the pass into the net from eight yards out.
Both teams battled into the second overtime. In the 109th minute, West Virginia gained possession and hit it into the box.
SLU was unable to gain possession and Barnes scored in the upper right corner.
“We played well against West Virginia,” said coach Tim Champion. “One break any way and we could have won. Overall, I’m pleased. We would like to have come out with a win. We need to get tougher physically. We showed that we can play with a Top 25 team. We just need to finish our chances.”
Two Billikens were named to the All-Tournament team. McNiff and Burke both received the honor.
“We realized that we could play with West Virginia,” said McNiff. “Those two goals would have happened in any game. We played with them, and even above them throughout the game. We finally played our game. It was definitely a learning experience.”
The Billikens conclude their four-game road trip on Friday at the University of Kansas at 4 p.m.
The Billikens won the first-ever meeting last season with a come-from-behind 3-2 victory. The Jayhawks enter the contest 3-1-0 this season after winning the San Diego State Invitational last weekend. Kansas has won three straight matches after losing the season-opener to the nationally ranked University of Illinois. The Jayhawks have outscored their opponents 12-4.
Forward Hilla Rantala leads the team in scoring with four goals and one assist. Freshman goalkeeper Meghan Miller has a 1.57 goals against average in 345 minutes.
“These should be two good games,” Champion said. “They should be the same caliber as Auburn and West Virginia.”
“They should be absolutely fired up to play us,” Burke said. “Last year, we snuck in the back door against them. Any team that loses after being up 2-0 should want you the next year. This is a big game for us. After not winning the last two games, we’re looking to perform better.”
SLU plays its first home contest against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Sunday, Sept. 16 at 1 p.m. The overall series is tied 1-1-0 after the Billikens dropped last year’s match, 2-1.
Iowa is 1-3-0 so far and will host Air Force on Friday, Sept. 14. Iowa lost a 2-0 decision at Missouri and a 3-2 game against Illinois State. Forward Sara Lynch and Nicholle Taylor lead the team with two goals apiece.
“It should be like last year,” Champion said. “They’re a big, strong team. We’ll have to be direct and move the ball.”
