A program can have a lot to look forward to when a freshman
player is already stepping up and taking big shots. For the Saint
Louis University women’s soccer team Dee Guempel is just that
player. Guempel scored two game-winning goals in the Conference USA
Tournament last week and made her penalty shot in the shootout of
the championship game.

She has been an asset to the team, but she knows it is a team
effort that got the team to the championship game.

“It felt great to make it to the championship game and knowing
that I was able to help get us there,” Guempel said. “It was our
team that got us that far not any individual; we really seemed to
click that weekend.”

When Guempel attempted her penalty kick in the shootout of the
championship game, she looked cool and calm, as if she had done it
millions of times.

“I was really nervous and afraid. I didn’t want to screw it up,”
Guempel said. “I just tried to look on the bright side, that we
were even in the game. I thought we deserved to win.”

Guempel plays forward and midfield, looking at her role on the
team as the person who needs to score.

“Everyone has a position with a role. The defenders don’t score,
they play defense. I play offense and my job is to get goals to win
the games,” Guempel said.

With only one year under her belt playing at SLU, she has a
limited supply of memories from which to choose the best. “My
favorite memory would have to be against Indiana. It was my first
goal at SLU and the game winning goal. It was really exciting for
me,” Guempel said. “I thought that when I scored I made the team
happy. I felt after that goal, I was less nervous about
playing.”

Guempel truly cherishes her experiences with the Bills.

“I really enjoy playing with the girls: I even like practices,
and the coaches are really nice. It’s a really great atmosphere,”
Guempel said. “Also, my family is from St. Louis, so they get to
come to all the home games, which is nice.”

This season may be over for the Bills, but Guempel is already
looking forward to the next.

“Only a couple of seniors will be leaving, so we will have most
of the team back from this year. We were connecting really well
with each other at the end, I hope that it will continue into next
season and we won’t lose any games,” Guempel said.