Maybe the road will be a bit nicer this weekend.

Last weekend, the Saint Louis University field hockey team
suffered a pair of back-to-back losses to NorPac rival Appalachian
State University and a loss to Virginia Commonwealth in Boone,
N.C., and looks to rebound this weekend on a trip to Kentucky.

Tuesday afternoon, the Billikens battled Appalachian State and
held them scoreless for the entire first half and part of the
second, until Appalachian State’s offense tag-teamed the Billiken
defense and netted the only goal of the game. Throughout the game,
Appalachian State continually tested SLU’s backfield but could not
muster a second goal. Billiken goalkeeper Julie Moeckel was steady
in SLU’s net and got her hands on nine of Appalachian State’s 10
shots on goal. Offensively, the upperclassmen led SLU’s attack,
despite being unable to surmount Appalachian State’s defense.

In a press release, Billiken coach Maria Whitehead said juniors
Ellen Rapp and Marissa Lynn put on an impressively solid offensive
display, while seniors Lindsay Lombardo and Alisa Herbert provided
strong leadership on the field.

In Monday’s game, Lombardo collected a pass from freshman
Michelle Sinclair and put the ball past Appalachian State’s
goalkeeper.

Sunday afternoon, the Billikens dropped the first game of the
season against Virginia Commonwealth in what started out as a
slow-paced game but turned into an exciting match.

Kelly Hellenga tied the game at one apiece in the first half,
which sparked the Billikens’ run in the second half.

The Bills took a 3-2 lead in the second half when the official
called a penalty corner after Moeckel was called for batting at a
ball that had been lobbed into the air. Virginia Commonwealth took
advantage of the call and tied the game with the penalty
corner.

The Bills managed to keep their momentum going and held Virginia
Commonwealth until the final moments of the game when VCU netted
the game-winner with only two and a half minutes remaining.

This weekend, the Billikens will take to the road once more and
travel to Louisville to take on the University of Massachusetts and
Boston University.

Next Up…

Who: UMass Minutemen (1-2)

When: Saturday, 2:30 p.m. in Louisville, Ky.