Consistency. Stability. Success.

Seniors Melissa Gossman, Katie McDonnell, Beth Moberg and Ismahan Mohsen have embodied these qualities on and off the soccer field throughout their four-year careers.

“All four have done well. They brought consistency to the program,” said coach Tim Champion. “They contributed to what we’ve built here. They’ve been consistent for four years. I’m sorry to see them go.”

Gossman and McDonnell were mainstays in the Billikens’ backfield for three years. As sophomores, the defense ranked ninth in the country. Last year, the defense finished 14th overall. Besides anchoring one of the best defenses in the country, Gossman and McDonnell contributed on the offensive end as well.

As a freshman, Gossman saw much of her playing time late in the year due to injuries, and cracked the starting lineup in eight games. She never looked back, starting 15 of 20 games as a sophomore, all 21 games as a junior and 19 games as a senior. She has tallied one goal and four assists over her career for six points.

McDonnell was one of only three players to start every game her freshman year. She recorded two assists and one goal. As a sophomore, she was hampered by injuries and started 10 of the 17 contests that she appeared in. She added three assists to her career total. She started all 21 games as a junior and all 18 games her senior year. She tallied five assists for five career points.

“Goss and Mac started three years and have done a great job at the back for us,” Champion said.

Moberg and Mohsen filled critical roles off the bench throughout their careers, with occasional starts. Moberg appeared in eight matches as a freshman. But as a sophomore, she appeared in all 20 games, with eight starts. She scored her only points on a goal against Tulane. Moberg scored three goals on four shots during her junior year, including the game-winner against South Florida. She appeared in 15 games with one start. Moberg notched four goals for eight points in her career.

“Izzy was injured throughout her career. But she played through the injuries and worked hard to get through them,” Champion said.

Mohsen competed in all but one game as a freshman. She recorded her first career point against UT-Martin. She was slowed by injuries as a sophomore and appeared in six matches. As a junior, Mohsen played in nine games and assisted on Moberg’s goal against Louisville. She played in 16 games her senior year, scoring her first career goal against DePaul.

“Beth was consistent and was able to fill in and start at times during her career. She’s a good player and a good person. She works hard for us,” Champion said.

Their careers have provided them with life-long memories.

“Each year was a different team,” Moberg said. “I couldn’t see not playing soccer. I have no regrets. It isn’t just about soccer. It’s about the other girls.”

“Overall, we’ve gotten better each year,” Gossman added. “It’s been a great, positive experience. We’ve improved so much from freshman to senior year.”

Each season provided a new challenge for the seniors.

“As a freshman, I came in scared and intimidated by the upperclassmen,” McDonnell said. “But with coming in earlier for training, soccer helped ease me into college. Even though it wasn’t our best season, I enjoyed the experience.”

“As sophomores, we were challenged by the big class of freshman behind us,” Gossman said. “That class really made an impact and was part of our success. We played together well.”

The Billikens won their first-ever regular season conference championship that year.

“Our junior year was a major transition season,” Moberg said. “We grew a lot as a team.”

SLU finished second in Conference USA and hosted the conference tournament.”This year was my favorite year,” Mohsen said. “It’s been enjoyable. We came together as a team, but things on the field were tough. Soccer helped make us who we are at SLU.”

Even though their careers were memorable, certain games have special meaning.

“The biggest game for me was when we played against Mizzou seven games into the season,” Moberg said. “It was my welcome to college soccer. It set the tone for the next four years.”

“Scoring my first career goal against DePaul this year was my most memorable game,” Mohsen said. “It was a career goal to score here. I’ve been waiting for four years. It meant a lot to me.”

“Our game against Marquette freshman year meant the most to me,” Gossman said. “I didn’t start, but played well in the first half and started the second half. That game gave me the confidence to know that I can play Division I soccer.”

“My first game freshman year was meaningful,” McDonnell said. “I didn’t know what to expect. After a half, I got a feel for the game.”

The seniors know that some of the most important things that they learned from soccer have nothing to do with athletics.

“I learned that you’re only as great as you think you are,” Moberg said.

“Soccer always has ups and downs,” Mohsen said. “But you always have to stay strong. I’ve adopted that mentality. You have to tell yourself to always be strong. Soccer made me a stronger person. It helps you believe in yourself to the end and that you can accomplish a lot. I feel that I have.”

“Soccer has been such a positive experience,” Gossman said. “It’s weird to think about not playing. It’s changed me in such a positive way. I love the team and have made some of my best friends here.

“Knowing that you can do anything if you put your mind to it came from soccer,” McDonnell said.