With seven games left before the Northern Pacific Conference
tournament, the Saint Louis University field hockey team is looking
to end the season on a successful note.
With a 0-10 overall and 0-3 in NorPac, SLU faced Southwest
Missouri State on Sunday in Springfield, Mo.
Losing 3-0, the Billikens were outshot 18-7 and failed to make
their follow-up shots. The team knows that there are areas that
need to be worked on in order to get a win.
“We could improve on our individual defense because it often
leads to turnovers in the defensive thirty,” said freshman Angela
Lombardo. “We have a hard time transitioning.”
The Bills entered this season with a young team of nine
sophomores and four freshmen as well as a new coach, Maria
Whitehead.
“Although she is a young coach, I think we all really respect
her, her authority and the boundary between coach and player,” said
freshman starter Kristin Lueders.
The team looks to benefit from Whitehead’s skill and expertise
as a member of the 2002 Wake Forest national champion team for
coaching, leadership and experience.
It would be easy for a team to put their heads down in a losing
season and wait for next year, but the Bills remain confident in
their abilities and motivated to work harder.
“We have good stick-work in the front and good passing
combinations,” said Lombardo.
And Lueders continued, “Our short corners are extremely
effective.”
On Saturday, the Bills will take on Davidson, marking what the
team refers to as the beginning of the “new season” with a string
of five home games. Davidson is undefeated in NorPac play, 3-0, and
have a 7-5 record on the season. The had won their previous seven
matches this season, after dropping their first four.
With a written set of new goals, the Bills remain spirited and
hopeful for a successful end to the season.
“We have really good senior leadership,” Lueders said. With only
two seniors the Bills team remains young, but as Lueders said,
“With the years to come we are only going to grow to get
better.”
Bills Return Home
Who: Davidson University
When: Saturday, 3 p.m.
Where: Anheuser-Busch Center, Fenton Mo.
