The women’s soccer team is on a mission this year: to avenge last year’s disappointing finish in the Atlantic 10 Tournament.
The Bills breezed through their first test of the season last weekend, earning two victories on the road against Seton Hall and Army.
Senior Molly Hartmann scored two first-half goals Thursday, Aug. 28, to lift SLU to a 2-1 victory over Seton Hall. Junior forward Julia Bradenberg collected a goal and an assist Saturday, Aug. 31, to power past Army, 2-0.
“We just had a really great weekend,” Bradenberg said. “Everything came together for us, and we needed that here at the beginning of the season.”
For head coach Tim Champion, the tournament was a chance to see how some of SLU’s slightly injured, but key players are progressing.
“They should back to full health within the next two to three weeks, but it was very important to get them some playing time,” Champion said.
Champion said one key to the Billikens’ success was freshman Andrea Barklage. Barklage, who was named to the All-Tournament Team, scored her first collegiate goal against Army.
Although the freshman normally plays defense, Champion tried Barklage as an attacking central midfielder. He described her play as “exceptional” and said she can only get better in that role as the season progresses.
For Bradenberg, this tournament was the first time the senior has played almost injury free in a year and a half. With a goal and an assist against Army, Champion said Bradenberg was looking like her “old style.”
“She was holding the ball well and was a target for us up top,” Champion said. “The other team’s back hammered her all weekend, handled it well and had a 25-yard bomb.”
Goals might get most of the attention, but the SLU defense was unwavering on the weekend, keeping its opponents scoreless in the two games. Sophomore Kristyn Gawin played every minute in the back for the Bills.
“Everyone has a role, but it’s still a team,” Gawin said. “It’s our job as defenders to guard the other team from scoring, just like it’s the forwards’ job to score. Success comes when everyone on the team does their job.”
SLU will look to continue its wining streak this weekend in the Toys for Tots tourney at home.
