Many see the value in starting off on the right foot. But there’s value in finishing strong, too.

The Saint Louis University women’s soccer team played its final game of the spring season Monday night and beat an overmatched Lindenwood team 6-1 at Robert R. Hermann Stadium.

SLU dominated possession. The Billikens moved the ball well on the ground, which led to numerous scoring opportunities.

SLU pounced on the Lions early and often, nearly scoring six minutes into the game.

Freshman Jamie Perry took a quick corner on the near side and found junior Jenny Kehl along the endline.

Kehl passed through traffic and found sophomore forward Lauren Alberts, whose shot went wide.

The Billikens struck 15 minutes into the game. Alberts left the ball for Perry just past midfield. Perry maneuvered through Lindenwood defenders and found Kehl close to the goal.

She deeked the Lions’ keeper, who dove for a shot that never came. Kehl held on for another second and was able to score into an open net for a 1-0 lead.

Five minutes later, Perry gave SLU a 2-0 lead. She got past Lindenwood’s defense and took a shot for the far side and beat the Lions’ keeper inside the near post.

SLU took a 3-0 lead midway through the first half. Sophomore Molly Schoeplein took matters into her own hands and gained possession.

She quickly fired a shot on goal from 30 yards out that beat the keeper in the low near corner.

As the first half ended, Lindenwood nearly scored.

A Lions’ forward got behind SLU’s defense and made a break for the goal. Junior goalkeeper Meghann Burke came off her line and ended the threat before Lindenwood could get a strong shot off.

With the first half winding down, SLU took down one of Lindenwood’s forwards in the box. After an extended stoppage due to her injury, the Lions were awarded a penalty kick to begin the second half.

Lindenwood took advantage and scored their lone tally of the contest. It was the only threat that Lindenwood had in the second half.

Five minutes later, the Billikens regained their three-goal advantage. SLU hit a long pass upfield and sophomore forward Anny Lucier ran under the pass and gained possession at midfield.

She had gotten behind the defense and scored inside the near post. The Billikens grabbed a 5-1 lead midway through the first half. Sophomore midfielder Laurie Kaminski took a corner from the far side.

No one touched the pass. It bounced twice and spun back into the goal inside the near post.

With 15 minutes left in the game, SLU struck for the final time in the game.

Junior midfielder Mandy Trokey fed Lucier whose shot beat the keeper on the near side.

“We played fairly well,” said coach Tim Champion. “Lindenwood was a little down. It’s the end of the year and everyone’s tired of the spring season and wants to move on to something else.”

The spring games marked a transition period for the Billikens. After gaining momentum as the exhibitions progressed, SLU hopes that it can bottle that success.

“Overall, the spring went well,” Champion said. “We started slow, but the last four or five games, we played well. We played well at the Illinois State Tournament. I saw a lot of things I was happy with.”

Champion hopes that the spring season will lay the groundwork for a successful season, come next season. Pre-season practices begin in mid-August.

“I’m looking forward to that,” Champion said. “I want to get the new recruits in and see them play.”