Anyone who has spent a substantial amount of time in St. Louis
in the summer, knows what it’s like to be outside on a hot, humid,
hazy day in the city.

On such a day, with the sun beating down on their backs, the
Saint Louis University field hockey team defeated rival Southeast
Missouri State 2-1 in dramatic fashion.

Down by a goal late in the game, the Billikens were able to tie
the game and eventually come from behind to defeat rival SMS in
overtime. “We had such a desire to beat them,” said senior Marissa
Lynn.

With less than three minutes left in regulation senior Ellen
Rapp sent the game into overtime off a penalty corner. “The corners
really came through for us,” Lynn said.

Overtime proved to be the time to shine for the Billikens. Rapp
scored the game-winning goal off an assist from Lynn. “Our passes
and transfers helped us wear down SMS,” Rapp said. “And we were
better conditioned,” Lynn added.

But without the steady defense from the back row and goalie
Julie Moeckel throughout the game, the win would not have been
possible. “Our defense really came together,” Rapp said.

In the first half the Billikens spent 95 percent of the time on
defense.

“I was inspired by my other teammates’ efforts,” Rapp said.

On Sunday the Billikens will face off against A-10 team St.
Joseph’s. “We all know that we have a lot to work on,” Lynn said.
The Billikens have never played St. Joseph’s, but know that it will
be a tough challenge.

“We need to pick it up in both halves, especially the first,”
Rapp said. “We need to go in with 100 percent, since we have never
played them before.”

There are four freshmen on the team this year that are looking
to contribute to the Billiken’s club.

“I am really confident in our freshmen. They have worked really
hard and had a positive effect on the team,” Rapp said.

Rapp and Lynn are the only two seniors who will serve as leaders
this season. “We want to come together to play as a team both
halves,” Rapp said. “We want to push ourselves to be better, work
our hardest and give 110 percent all the time.”

For many, athletics is about competition, determination and the
desire to win.

Personal drive and motivation push the good athletes to be
better each time they play.

But for the even better athletes, the sport becomes a part of
who they are both on and off the field. For Rapp and Lynn field
hockey is just that: It is who they are. “It’s the center of my
life.

“I wouldn’t know what to do without field hockey,” said
Rapp.

Both carry with them a true love of the game. The Billikens
practice every day for what ends up being three hours, including
the drive to their practice field off campus. Also on Tuesdays and
Thursdays at 7 a.m. the team lifts weights.

“I love the sport, the competitiveness and the team. That’s what
makes it enjoyable,” Rapp said.

Rapp did not start playing field hockey until her freshman year
of high school when her mom made her play because she thought she
would be good at it. “If it was not for my mom I wouldn’t be
playing,” Rapp said.

In her four years at SLU, Rapp has been an aggressive starter
and a strong leader. Rapp has been the team’s top shot-taker the
past two years and has proven to be a dynamic player in both the
front and mid-field.

“The teamwork, company and being a part of something makes it
fun,” Rapp said. “It’s such a good community.”

She is an education major who would like to teach in St. Louis,
and coach a field hockey team.

Lynn, on the other hand, started playing under unusual
circumstances.

“I started playing in the 8th grade because we moved to Hong
Kong and they didn’t have soccer,” Lynn said.

She described the experience as someone simply handing her a
stick and telling her to go play, and today she is a starting
forward for the Billikens.

“It has made me who I am today. I am competitive, organized and
ahead of the game because of field hockey,” Lynn said.

Lynn transferred to SLU from St. Francis University in
Pennsylvania after her sophomore year. At St. Francis she led the
team in goals, assists and shots. In her first season as a
Billiken, she played in every game and proved to be an asset to the
team. “The competitiveness, desire, motivation and goals that the
whole team shares are what make it fun for me,” Lynn said.

She is a criminal justice major who hopes to work for a federal
agency in the future.

In their last field hockey season at SLU both Rapp and Lynn are
looking to leave their mark. “I want to make my last year my best
year ever,” said Rapp, who has already started off the season in
the right direction as the leading scorer for the Billikens with
three goals.

For Lynn, this season is about giving each game her best effort.
“I want to leave no regrets when I walk off the field,” said
Lynn.

With many games left in the season, Lynn and Rapp will surely
have their chance to leave their footprints on the field.