Freshman Andrea Strebler picked the perfect time for her first goal in the Billikens uniform. In the second half of a tie game, Strebler got a rebound off a corner kick and notched the game-winner to give Saint Louis University a 2-1 win over Charlotte in the Atlantic 10 opener last Saturday.
After a difficult non-conference schedule that included two scoreless ties and three shutout losses, SLU put the focus on their offense entering conference play. Head coach Tim Champion knew he needed to get the offense going if SLU was to have any chance at making noise in the Atlantic 10.
“We needed to start playing more on the attack,” Champion said.
The team responded quickly. SLU had a season-high 16 shots in Saturday’s match, including 12 shots on goal. Both are drastic improvements for a team that has been shut out each of the last three matches.
“The difference in this game was how we pushed forward,” Champion continued.
The scoring got started when sophomore forward Jenny Hummert intercepted a pass from Charlotte’s goalkeeper, and made the keeper pay for bad positioning. Hummert ripped a shot into the upper right corner of the net from 35 yards out, a powerful goal that put the Billikens up 1-0 in the 22nd minute.
Charlotte tied the game with a tally of their own shortly before halftime. It would be the only time all night that the 49ers beat Katie Walsh, who had four saves in net for the Billikens. Strebler’s game-winning goal came in the 67th minute off a corner kick and a few rebounds.
Senior Colleen Kustura and sophomore Jessie Jarrett each directed shots on net after the corner, but ultimately Strebler gathered the ball and buried it, giving SLU a 2-1 advantage. The win puts the Billikens at 3-5-2 for the year and 1-0-0 in Atlantic 10 play.
After opening conference play with a win, the women’s soccer team will be tested twice this weekend with two tough A-10 opponents. First up is Rhode Island on Friday night. The Rams are primarily a defensive squad anchored with a good goalkeeper and a solid back line. Freshman Reilly Lindsey will likely start in net for Rhode Island. Reilly has allowed just four goals in six starts this year, and boasts two shutouts. SLU’s offense will have to challenge Reilly with another 16-shot barrage if they want a chance to beat the Rhodies.
SLU’s best threat in this game will likely come from leading scorer Jenny Hummert. Hummert has three goals and two assists on the year, including the game’s first goal in last week’s victory over Charlotte. Two of her goals have come unassisted, and she exhibits the ability to capitalize from defensive mistakes in almost any situation.
On Sunday afternoon, SLU faces A-10 powerhouse Massachusetts in what may be the toughest match on the conference schedule. UMass has a strong squad offensively and defensively, and has a way of overpowering its opponents all over the field.
In their last five games, the Minutewomen are 5-0 with five shutouts. They’ve beaten ranked teams, and even earned a regional ranking themselves. Senior forward Julie Morrissey has notched five goals, and fellow senior Deanna Colarossi is right behind her with three. Defensively, they’re as strong as any team on SLU’s schedule. Junior goalkeeper Emily Cota hasn’t allowed a goal in five matches, and looks to continue that streak at Robert R. Hermann Stadium.
The Billikens will need major contribution from freshman forward Abbey Stock, who has three goals on the season, and junior midfielder Alli Reimer, who has a goal and an assist. It will take strong offense and defense to beat UMass, a likely contender for the A-10 crown.
Friday’s match against Rhode Island kicks off at 7 p.m. Sunday’s match against Massachusetts begins at 1 p.m. Both matches will be held at Robert R. Hermann Stadium.
