Catching fast break is always good, but having six fast breaks
at once is a God-send. which is exactly what Saint Louis University
women’s soccer coach, Tim Champion, has on his hands.

“The freshmen played an outstanding game (against Southeast
Missouri State University), they were a very key part,”Champion
said.

The team closed the exhibition season with a 3-2 win over SEMO
and is slated to take on Arkansas State Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.
at Robert R. Hermann Stadium.

“Overall, the game against Southeast went well for us,” Champion
said. “I’m concerned about us defensively,, but I’m happy with the
speed of the game and I’m happy with the chances we created.”

Friday night against SEMO, the Billikens succumbed to an early
lapse and fell into a 1-0 hole during the seventh minute of
play.

SEMO’s Erika Todd had control of the ball and sent a pass
upfield, where Marla Gianino rocketed ahead and netted the first
goal of the match.

Sophomore midfielder Christie Cigno and freshman midfielder
Courtney Hulcer tag-teamed SEMO’s backfield and tied the game when
Hulcer launched a corner kick into play and the ball deflected off
Cigno into the net past SEMOs goalkeeper Amanda Wrzos.

Near the end of the half, SLU pulled ahead when freshman striker
Anna Schuch lobbed the ball into the net from 10 yards out.

In the second half, the Billikens’ offense increased the gap
when Hulcer scored the third Billiken goal of the evening midway
through the half.

SEMO tried to mount a rally late in the half and mustered one
final goal of the night when Lisa Schweppe connected with Todd to
bury a header past Billiken goalkeeper Sarah Schweitzer.

The Bills head into Sunday’s match with tremendous scoring
capability from different spots on the field, which will bolster
the returning scoring powers of Jamie Perry and Cigno.

“Anybody from midfield up is capable of scoring and shots will
come from different places, taking pressure off Jamie and
Christie,” Champion said.

With the swarm of attackers on the field, Champion hopes to see
an even better season for Perry this year, who was honored as a
first-team All-Conference USA selection.

While SLU’s offense is in check, concern for the defense still
lingers. Each of last year’s starting defenders returns to the
Billiken squad this year, but Champion believes there is still room
to fine-tune the team’s defensive capabilities.

Looking ahead to this weekend’s season opener against Arkansas
State, the Billikens will rely on the scoring punches of Perry and
Cigno, as well as three starting freshmen: Hulcer, Schuch and Dee
Guempel.

Annie Lucier should anchor the backfield, as she reprises her
role as the team’s starting sweeper and will set the tone for the
entire team.