The road can surely be unfriendly. At 0-5, the Saint Louis
University field hockey team has had it rough in the early
going.
After two out of town tournaments to start the season–the first
in North Carolina, then against highly ranked opponents Boston
University and UMASS last weekend in Louisville–the team returned
home without a victory, but not without hope.
“We played really well this weekend and the team came together,
better than we ever have in the past” commented sophomore goalie
Julie Moeckel, who contributed with 12 saves in the two games.
Saturday, the Bills lost to UMASS 3-1. Sophomore Carin Boone
scored SLU’s lone goal, tying the game shortly into the second
half.
They were, unfortunately, unable to hold off the UMASS attack
and two more scores.
Sunday presented another challenge, with BU jumping out to a
quick 3-0 lead. SLU fought back with goals from freshman Kristin
Lueders toward the end of the first half, netting the first of her
college career. Senior Alisa Hebert’s score with 13:22 remaining
made it close, putting them within one.
Through the course of the game Moeckel’s effort in goal
accounted for a whopping 10 saves, but it wasn’t enough, as the
Bills were unable to put in the equalizer, ending it at 3-2.
They left Kentucky disappointed with no a win but, overall,
pleased with their performance.
This coming weekend the team will travel to Oxford, Ohio, to
face Miami of Ohio and Davidson.
Both of this weekend’s opponents are also without wins so it is
a near certainty that at least one team will come out of the
weekend with a new number in the win column, something all three
are wanting desperately to happen.
The Billikens will play the host, Miami, on Friday and finish
with Davidson on Saturday.
Moeckel sees potential for big games: “We just finished with two
top 20 teams in UMASS and Boston, playing both at a very high
level; there’s a really positive outlook going into this weekend
and are we confident we can beat both of these teams.”
After play concludes in Ohio, eight of the 10 remaining
scheduled games, as well as the season closing NorPac Tournament
are in the St. Louis area, most at the Anheuser-Busch Center, where
the team hosts home games.
“I think being on the road has made us mentally tougher” said
sophomore Alex Sullivan. “Being together so much as a team has
helped the bond; but you are always most comfortable on your home
turf.”
When they plays for the first time at the A-B Center, SLU will
have seen eight games away from the friendly confines of home, not
the easiest way to start a season.
Still, hope remains high, and this weekend gives a golden
opportunity to put two in the win column.
Next Up
Who: Miami-Ohio Redhawks (0-2)
When: Friday, 7pm Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
