The Saint Louis University field hockey team dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker after two hard-fought periods of overtime and one series of penalty strokes last Thursday evening at Lindenwood University.

The crosstown showdown featured 70 minutes of back-and-forth action between the two teams. The match was highlighted by several good offensive plays by Lindsay Lombardo and Lisa Ferrise, but the Billikens lacked the consistency needed to push past the Lions.

“We played well at times, but not so good at times. We need to be more consistent,” said coach Shannon West.

During the first half of regulation play, the Lions’ July Widmer started the scoring with 19:29 left in the half.

The Billikens took three shots during the half; the Lions took four.

In the second half Lombardo scored just two minutes into the half to tie the score. Later in the half, Ferrise scored a goal, assisted by Lombardo, putting the Bills up by one.

“Our communication has gotten better,” Ferrise said. “We know where people on the field are.”

About a minute later Lindenwood’s Widmer tied the score. “Lindenwood had some great forwards,” West said.

At the end of regulation the score was tied and the two teams began what would end up being a long and grueling overtime.

Since neither team scored during the first OT, another overtime was played.

With neither team scoring in double overtime, the game went to penalty strokes.

The match between the Lions and the Bills marked the first time this season that the Billikens have had to settle a game by penalty strokes.

Lombardo, Erin Gay, Jill Mueller, Stephanie Bus and Alisa Hebert took the shots for the Bills.

Lombardo’s and Bus’ shots went in, but Lindenwood’s Liz Hamilton, Sara Stracklejahn and Carly Craig were able to make their shots, giving the Lions the extra point to earn the win.

“It was really intense and it gets nerve-racking,” Ferrise said. “We hope to do better next time.” The Bills will meet Lindenwood again on Oct. 30.

On Sunday the team held an alumni game, which they won 5-2.

“It was fun for the alumni to come and get involved,” West said. “It gave them the chance to meet the current players.”

This was the first alumni game held, but SLU hopes to make it an annual event.

Tomorrow, the Bills will play Stanford at the Anheuser-Busch Center at 3:00 p.m. Stanford is ranked first in the NorPac Conference.

Stanford is a strong team in the NorPac league and held the Billikens at bay twice last season.

The Billikens hope to rebound against Stanford and improve on their 1-7 start to the season, while Stanford will look to better its 6-6 start.

Since the games are not played on campus, there will be a shuttle leaving for the game behind Griesedieck at 2:30 p.m.