The field hockey freshmen had a big weekend.
Coming off a loss to Northwestern on Friday, Sept. 19, and a win against Robert Morris University on Saturday, Sept. 20, this past weekend, freshman goalie Alex LeBarge held off RMU scoring attempts with seven saves, while classmate Nicole Kent earned a starting position after her strong efforts in both games.
“I’m proud of how the freshmen have stepped up this season,” senior Christine Frampus said.
The Bills also had the support of fellow SLU student-athletes at their game against Northwestern.
“The women’s soccer team was playing Northwestern that weekend too, and they came and watched our game,” sophomore Kelsey Traynor said, “It seemed like we had more fans than NU.it was a positive experience.”
Despite its 6-1 loss to Northwestern, the team rebounded to a 1-0 victory over RMU the next day. Natalie Gamez, who is second on the team with three goals, scored the Billikens’ only goal in the first two minutes of the game. Kelsey Traynor also had a big defensive play in the last 10 seconds when she cleared an RMU tie attempt.
Head coach Marcie Boyer said SLU outplayed RMU offensively the whole game, but that the Billikens were unable to put away one of their many attempts on goal.
“The upperclassmen showed good leadership,” Boyer said after the RMU match. “We generated a lot of good scoring chances so that was a big positive. As we move ahead, we need to capitalize in our attacking circle. It was not a pretty win, but it was nice to leave the field with a victory.”
In the first-ever meeting between the two teams, SLU is favored to win its upcoming home game against Bellarmine, a Division II school, this Saturday.
“We are mentally prepared and focused for the game coming up,” Frampus said.
Bellarmine marks the end of the Billikens’ non-conference schedule and one of the last home games of the season. In preparation for the game, the team is working on consistency. Boyer said the team will have to work with a new lineup due to injured starter Eva Luck.
The Bills’ conference schedule begins Oct. 12 against Massachusetts. Last year, the Bills lost to the Minutemen, 1-0, after a SLU goal was waved off.
