After losing their first game of the season, the Saint Louis University women’s soccer team has rebounded to win their subsequent three games. After beating Rice 3-1 on Aug. 28, the Billikens went on to beat Southeast Missouri State and Illinois State on Friday and Sunday, respectively.
The Billikens and SEMO played a tight game for the duration, until standout junior defender Tara Gresco put the Bills on top for good in the 73rd minute.
Despite the score, the Bills consistently put pressure on SEMO. The Billikens recorded eight shots in the first half of play, compared to just one for SEMO. The staunch Billiken defense allowed only four shots all night, including only one in the first period.
SEMO goalie Lindsay Pickering played an exceptional game, despite the fact that she is credited with the loss. Pickering recorded nine saves over the course of the game. SLU goaltender Amanda Martin, by comparison, notched two saves.
The Billikens kept the pressure on throughout the first half and had numerous scoring chances, but could not capitalize on any.
The best chance came early in the second half, off of a corner kick from junior midfielder Courtney Hulcer.
Hulcer’s kick found sophomore Cassi Winchell, who sent a pass to junior forward Maureen Hughes.
Hughes sent a header in the direction of the goal, but it carried over the crossbar.
The second half saw more shots, but few notable scoring opportunities.
That changed when Gresco put the Billikens on top.
Greco made a stellar individual effort to notch the winning goal. Gresco sent a pass to Hughes, and continued running up the field.
Hughes then completed the give-and-go, sending the ball back to a charging Gresco.
The junior defender was then pitted against Pickering, one-on-one.
Gresco beat Pickering from six yards out, giving the Billikens a 1-0 lead.
The Billikens didn’t allow a scoring chance for the Redhawks in the last 10 minutes, leaving the score to finish at 1-0.
On Sunday, the Billikens kept things rolling with their game against Illinois State.
In the first half, the Bills managed to dominate the ball but could not capitalize on any scoring chances.
The Billikens out-shot Southern Illinois, 6-0, in the first half, led by junior midfielder Kelly Ferguson, who attempted two shots of her own.
The Southern Illinois Redbirds got on the scoreboard first when they notched a goal in the 62nd minute.
The Redbird goal came after an early barrage on goal. Southern Illinois recorded the first three shots on goal in the period, before Carrie Shurr found the back of the net against SLU goalkeeper Amanda Martin.
Schurr scored her goal on a header from eight yards out, off of a pass from Joyce Kleinhenz.
The Billikens responded shortly after.
Ferguson tied the score at one with a header from 15 yards away. Midfielder Courtney Hulcer had a free kick from 40 yards away, which Ferguson got her head on in the 69th minute.
The goal gave the Billikens momentum in a game that went to overtime.
In overtime, Ferguson and Hulcer teamed up again to win it for the Billikens.
Hulcer served the ball to Ferguson again this time from 30 yards away.
Ferguson managed to head the ball in again, from eight yards away.
The win drove the Billikens’ record to 3-1, and Southern Illinois dropped to 2-1.
Next up for the Billikens is a match today against the University of Mississippi.
After that, No. 13 in the country, Duke, travels to Robert R. Hermann Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m.
