On Nov. 7 the Saint Louis University field hockey team lost 5-4
to Appalachian State University at the Anheuser Busch Center in the
consolation game of the North Pacific Conference Tournament.

ASU struck first in this high scoring contest, as Nara Brooks
scored just three minutes into the game from a penalty corner.

The goal was assisted by Bridgette Burkhardt and Caroline
Smith.

Billiken coach Maria Whitehead called a timeout after Brooks
scored again, giving ASU a 2-0 lead.

Within two minutes, senior captain Lindsay Lombardo maneuvered
the ball down the middle of the field and registered an unassisted
goal. Smith scored a goal off of a Brooks pass just five minutes
later, and minutes later Helenga scored off a rebound to tie the
game at three.

The second half featured an intensity that had not yet been seen
in this year’s NorPac Tournament.

The teams constantly battled for ball possession and field
position, as SLU junior Ellen Rapp received a green card for rough
play.

Smith scored again in the second half to put ASU up by a
goal.

With less than a minute remaining, Lombardo scored off a rebound
in front of the goal, tying the game at four on an unassisted goal.
Many thought that the game was destined for overtime, but ASU’s
trio of Brooks, Smith and Burkhardt attained a penalty corner with
just one second left, and scored after time expired.

The goal counted because a field hockey game cannot end when a
penalty corner is in progress.

It was a hard defeat for the Billikens, who played quite
possible, their best game of the year.

“It was a heartbreaker losing the game after we had just tied it
with only 45 seconds left,” says Rapp. Sophomore goalie Julie
Moeckel had six saves in the losing effort.

“It took us a while to get into the game, but we didn’t stop
fighting until the clock ran out,” said Moeckel

The Billikens end their season at a disappointing 3-16.

“Although our record doesn’t show how good we are, our team
probably has more determination and heart than any other team out
there,” said Moeckel.

Rapp said the team “had great senior leadership from Lombardo
and Alisa Hebert who provided the backbone of team this year.”

Whitehead hopes to field a promising team next year and she has
the resources and returning players to do it.

“Maria did a good job with us, and really helped us improve our
skills. By the end of the season we were playing great hockey and
executing all the basic skills. I think we will have a great team
next year and definitely a winning season,” Rapp said.