The women’s soccer team went 1-0-1 this past weekend to remain undefeated this season in its annual Toys for Tots tournament at home.
The team avenged its loss to Nebraska last year by downing the Cornhuskers 1-0, tied Missouri State 0-0 after going into overtime and showed a strong defensive effort on the weekend.
“We’d like to have won, but we played a good game, and we’re only improving,” head coach Tim Champion said about the MSU game.
Champion said that two key players for the Bills in the MSU match were freshman goalkeeper Hannah Perry and senior defender Lauren Olson.
“[Perry] has been playing well, and every minute she gets playing out there is making her better,” Champion said. “Also, [Olson] plays in the back, and she holds them together and keeps them strong.”
?Perry said she is pleased with the way the season is progressing and is adjusting to the difficult life of a student-athlete as a freshman.
“Coming in as a freshman soccer player is definitely a change,” Perry said. “But as a team, we started off really well, even though we tied.”
?The game this past Sunday was only the fourth game of the season for the team. Olson, who was one of four Billikens named to the All-Tournament Team, said the team is already showing more enthusiasm, positive energy and spirit than any of her three previous years.
“This year, every position on the field has gotten better,” Olson said. “We showed a lot of heart and a lot of effort, and now we can be prepared for when it really matters.”?
Perry, also named to the All-Tournament Team, said, from her perspective in front of the net, Olson is efficient at leading SLU’s defense.
“When [Olson] has control of the ball, I have full confidence in her,” Perry said. “I can trust that she will get the ball as far away from the goal as possible.”
?The team’s defense this year, which is comprised mainly of upperclassmen, is notably stronger this year than in previous years, according to Champion. Perry was forced to make just one save in posting her third consecutive shutout.
Champion also praised SLU’s offense on the weekend. He cited forwards Jessica Lopez and Julia Bradenberg and midfielders Andrea Barklage and Susan Frederickson as forerunners for SLU’s offense.
The Bills conclude their four-game homestand this weekend as they take on opponents from the Horizon League and the Southeastern Conference. SLU hosts Butler tomorrow for a 7 p.m. kickoff and Vanderbilt on Sunday for a 1 p.m. match.
