Saint Louis University’s women’sfield hockey team is looking forward to the future, with a series of changes this year designed to turn around the program. After a 1-19 season last year, the Billikens are looking for a fresh start. With new coaches, new uniforms and new recruits, field hockey fans have plenty of reasons to be optimistic about this season.
Leading the Billiken’s turnaround is Hayley Rausch, the new head coach. SLU’s director of athletics Chris May appointed her in April of 2014.
Rausch first joined SLU’s program in 2013 as an assistant coach. Prior to that, she served as an assistant coach for St. Lawrence University in New York, as well as for her alma mater, University of New Hampshire. At UNH she oversaw many of the program’s youth camps while playing under head coach Robin Balducci.
“I am excited and honored to be a part of the Billiken family,” Rausch said. “I look forward to building a tradition of excellence and a winning culture for Saint Louis field hockey.”
Hayley is an accomplished athlete herself. She helped UNH to the 2011 America East regular-season and tournament titles, a No. 9 national ranking and a spot in the NCAA Championship. She was named the America East Championship Most Outstanding Player after setting the UNH single season record for points with 62. She also played lacrosse during her time at UNH, earning All-Conference plaudits in 2011.
Joining SLU’s program for the first time is Danielle Kauffman, who will be filling the position of assistant coach. Prior to her arrival at SLU, Kauffman spent time coaching for several club teams such as Freedom HKY Club and the U.S. Futures, as well as the Park School of Baltimore Middle School. She graduated just last year from the University of Maryland, where she also had a successful athletic career.
During her time at Maryland, she helped the Terrapins to two Atlantic Coast Conference Championships and four Final Four appearances, resulting in two national championships in 2010 and 2011.
Her teammates awarded her the Sabrina Salam Award for demonstrating an elite level of quality of life academically, socially, athletically and spiritually.
Kauffman is also a student at SLU herself, pursuing a M.A. in Public Health.
Also new to the team this year are eight freshmen. Hailing all the way from California to New Jersey and covering a wealth of positions, these new recruits are looking to breath new life into the program.
“I am excited to see this class on the field,” Rausch said. “This is a very strong and athletic class that could make an immediate impact for us on the field. I’m excited for the future development of this class as they help the program continue to grow.”
In addition to the new coaches and players, the Billikens will be sporting a new look. The squad has received new uniforms, and for the first time ever, they will be given warm-up jerseys. Previously, they simply wore their own sweatshirts and sweatpants before games. Junior midfielder and back Sarah Goings recalls being mistaken for a high school team without proper warm-up uniforms.
But even with the welcome changes, the Billikens are off to a slow start. They suffered two losses on the road last weekend. Thier season opener was against No. 15 Louisville.
Despite losing 11-2, the game was noteworthy for senior forward Faith Mackin’s performance. Mackin scored both goals in the game; this is the first time since 2013 that a Billiken has scored multiple goals in a single game.
The second game was against Indiana, who beat the Billikens 6-0. The Billikens had seven shots on goal in the loss in Bloomington.
Nevertheless, players like Sarah Goings are optimistic for the rest of the season. “I think these are really positive changes,” she said.
The Billikens will be kicking off their home season Sept. 5,this Saturday against UC Davis. The game begins at 1:00 p.m. and will be held at Soccer Park in St. Louis.
Conference play begins on Sept. 20 when they travel to face Lock Haven. The next home game is Sept. 23 against Missouri State.
