They’re roommates, best friends, fans of country music and the Cardinals. They’ve been teammates on the soccer field since the age of 13. Maggie Baumann and Alli Reimer are exactly what a coach wants.
The Saint Louis University juniors are talented soccer players: Baumann, a key part of the Billikens defense and Reimer, a pace setter of the SLU midfield. They recognize their responsibility to guide the young squad. The SLU women’s soccer team is lead by only a handful of upperclassmen. The roster includes 12 incoming freshmen to only three seniors.
“It’s definitely a rebuilding year,” Baumann, who started all of the Billikens’ 19 games last season, said. “With so many freshmen coming in, we know it will take some time for the learning process.”
Baumann was a key element to the Billikens defense last year. And she’s been the most consistent piece of the puzzle. SLU posted nine shutouts last season, thanks to a back four lead by Baumann. But this year, that back four will include at least two freshmen. And while they all have the talent to play at a collegiate level, Baumann says it’s the communication that takes work.
“We keep telling them it’s okay to yell at us,” Baumann said, laughing. “Communication is the most important part of a successful defense. It will take time to get to that level, but I think we’ll be ready by the time we start conference play.”
Baumann said the main goal of this year is to improve the offense. SLU suffered last year from only netting 11 goals in 19 matches. This year, coach Tim Champion has told the girls their main focus should be to put the ball in the net. And there’s nobody Baumann would trust more than her best friend.
As a midfielder, Reimer’s primary job is controlling the pace of the game. She’s the connection between the defense’s possession of the ball and the forwards’ striking ability. It’s her job to keep the whole team moving at the same pace.
“With such a young team, it can definitely be a challenge,” Reimer said of her role. “But the freshmen are really talented, so I think we can be successful.”
Those freshmen showed off their talent in the season’s opening match. Abby Stock netted SLU’s second goal just five minutes into the match, and fellow freshman Mallorie Owens earned an assist just 20 minutes later. Julia Merlo also received in assist in the game, meaning freshman had a key role in three of the Billikens’ four goals.
“Scoring that early goal was huge,” Reimer said. “It was really great to get on under our belt, and from there we were able to just play our game.”
Reimer led the team in goals last year, an impressive note for a sophomore midfielder. This year, she said she wants to focus on getting the ball onto the feet of her talented strikers, just as she did in the early moments of last weekend’s game.
“I think we’re definitely headed in the right direction,” Reimer said. She also played in all 19 games for the Billikens during her sophomore season.
Baumann and Reimer have been teammates for seven years now, ever since their days at Busch Soccer Club in St. Louis. They both picked SLU because of its proximity to home and its historic soccer program.
“I knew it was a great school with a successful program,” Baumann said. Now, she said it’s a perfect fit.
And the soccer team would say the same. Baumann and Reimer have made their presence felt since freshman year, and now, as upperclassmen and everyday starters, it’s their turn to lead the program.
