The Saint Louis University field hockey team rallied for a 3-2 win over Central Michigan last Friday before dropping a 2-0 decision against New Hampshire two days later.
The Billikens fell behind Central Michigan, 1-0, less than 10 minutes into the game. After scoring again in the second half to take a 2-0 lead, the Chippewas seemed to have the contest under control.
The Billikens’ defense, however, shut the Chippewas out for the rest of the game, and the offense caught fire, scoring three goals in the span of 10 minutes in the second half to win the game.
“At halftime, we assessed our errors and took note of what needed to be changed for the second half,” senior Carin Boone said. “When the alterations were made, everything started falling into place. We made runs, hit our targets and buried the ball in the net.”
Senior Jill Mueller got SLU on the scoreboard after taking a pass from sophomore midfielder Kristen Leuders and sneaking the ball past the CMU goalie.
“We controlled the pace of the whole game,” Mueller said. “We just weren’t able to finish on opportunities and score for the first half. But we didn’t give up and once we got the first goal it just clicked and started happening.”
“A true surge of energy and heart spread throughout the team after Jill’s quick shot at the top of the circle,” Boone said. “Now only one goal behind, we knew what we could and had to do.”
Junior Michelle Sinclair knotted the score at two on another assist from Leuders.
Sophomore midfielder Ashlea Hibshman scored the game-winner with 20:40 to play.
Hibshman received a cross from Mueller and put the ball in the back of the net.
The victory snapped a seven-game losing streak to Central Michigan and was the first time the Billikens have beaten the Chippewas since 1989.
Coming off an emotional win, the Billikens took their unblemished record to the Anheuser-Busch Center on Sunday and lost 2-0 to New Hampshire. SLU fell behind 1-0 in the first half again, as the Wildcats scored in the 35th minute of play.
This time there would be no comeback.
The Billikens had two breakaway chances in the second half, but shots by freshman Mary Henry, sophomore Catherine Donovan and senior Courtney Gasparovic all missed wide of the net.
New Hampshire added an insurance goal with just under 17 minutes to play.
“The New Hampshire game was the most mentally challenging game so far this season,” Boone said. “With so much excitement and expectations having won two previous games, we found it difficult to harness and direct our energy and aggression.”
The Billikens (2-1) travel to East Lansing, Mich., for games against Michigan State and James Madison this weekend.
