Despite only allowing a total of seven goals through ten games this season, good enough for second best in program history, the Saint Louis University Billikens women’s soccer team finds its record falling short of their expectations. The Bills hosted Atlantic-10 Conference foe La Salle this past Friday, then traveled to New York to take on St. Bonaventure, posting a 0-1-1 record for the weekend.
The Billikens opened up their conference slate against La Salle at Robert R. Hermann stadium the Friday of Homecoming weekend. As for most of their games this season, defense was king. The Bills ultimately took the La Salle Explorers (6-2-2, 0-1-1) to a draw. Despite the lack of scoring, SLU outshot their opponent 28-10, yet was unable to convert any of its opportunities. The Bills overwhelmed La Salle in the shots on goal category, 10-0.
Although the draw wasn’t what the team was hoping for, Head Coach Tim Champion is encouraged by what he sees. “We’re playing well right now. Overall, I’m pleased. We just need to figure out how to put the ball in the back of the net. We’ve had plenty of opportunities” Champion said.
Sophomore goalkeeper Hannah Perry recorded her third consecutive shutout, her fifth of the season. Senior midfielder Kelly Waeckerle recorded a season high eight shots on goal.
On Sunday, the Billikens traveled to Olean, New York to face off against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies for their first A-10 road test. St. Bonaventure’s Kaitlin Krisko put one past Perry in the second minute, giving the Bonnies a lead they would not relinquish. The defense did its job for the next 88 minutes though, clamping down on the opposing offense and holding them scoreless for the remainder of the game.
Regardless of the losing effort, Champion was pleased with the defensive effort. “We had them under pressure for 88 minutes. The girls responded well to the early goal and hung in there”
Champion said.
The theme this season for the Billikens has been one of shut-down defense. The backfield is comprised of two freshman, two sophomores, and a senior, yet the youth has worked in favor of the Billikens thus far.
“We have a lot of speed in the back this year. We’re really young, with so many freshmen playing [in the backfield]. Our midfielders have been doing a ton of work on the defensive side of the ball,” Champion said.
Despite the successes of the defense, the offense has had trouble putting the ball in the net. The Billikens have no trouble moving the ball and getting shots on goal, yet their opportunities haven’t converted into goals as often as they’d like.
Senior midfielder Susan Frederickson, the team’s leading scorer, remains optimistic about the Billikens’ potential.
“We just need to stay mentally there while attacking the goal, and focus on the final touch to put the ball in the goal. We’ve been working really hard on that during practice, and I think it will pay off,” Frederickson said.
The Billikens(3-5-2, 0-1-1) hope to bounce back this upcoming weekend with a two game home set against the University of Massachusetts and the University of Rhode Island, continuing alomg its conference slate.
Saint Louis kicks off against UMass on Friday, Oct. 2nd, at 7 p.m.. The Minutemen are riding a five-game unbeaten streak into Hermann Stadium.
However, the Billikens are not intimidated by the roll that Massachusetts is currently on.
“We just need to move the ball and play how we can, no matter who we play. I don’t worry too much about the opponent. Everyone has different styles, and every single conference game matters. We’re just trying to focus on us,” Champion said.
The Billikens lead the all- time series against UMass, 4-0.
On Sunday, the Rhode Island Rams visit Hermann Stadium, and like Massachusetts, are on a hot streak of its own. URI is 3-1-1 in their last five contests, including a victory over Atlantic-10 opponent Temple on September 27th. The Billikens own the all-time series 4-1, but lost against URI last year at Rhode Island.
Kick off for the game against Rhode Island is at 1 p.m. this Sunday, Oct. 4.
