SLU’s field hockey team celebrated a lot of firsts this past weekend with their 2-1 conference win over Lock Haven.
The Billikens recorded their first win of the 2015 season and their first conference win since 2007. SLU put together a strong second half to come back from a 1-0 deficit and grab the win at home.
Freshman midfielder Carly Kissinger made the first shot on goal of the match in the third minute, but the Lock Haven goalie made a save to keep the game even. Minutes later, a foul was called on SLU, and Lock Haven took the opportunity to convert. A Lock Haven player split two Billiken defenders, took the goalie on one-versus-one, and finished with ease.
The remainder of the first half was relatively even offensively and defensively, with Lock Haven outshooting SLU 5-3, but Lock Haven having to come up with a few more saves than the Billikens.
The women regrouped for the second half, looking for some early goals to swing the momentum in their direction. The Billikens came out firing within the first few minutes of the half, with a shot from freshman forward Erica Bondoc. The Lock Haven goalie made a save, but it wasn’t enough. Sophomore back Carli Wolfe followed the shot and put the ball in the back of the net off the rebound.
This was only the beginning for the Billiken offense. Bondoc put another shot on goal in the 39th minute, followed by another a minute later from sophomore midfielder Katie Moss. The Billikens kept a good thing going and followed up the shot again, this time from freshman midfielder Molly Feid. The rebound goal put the Bills up 2-1 and was eventually the game-winner.
Kissinger commented on the atmosphere and roller coaster energy of the game and her team.
“Our warm up was slow and sloppy, but once the game started, everything just seemed to click,” Kissinger said. “We just worked as a unit. Then we finally scored to take the lead, and the energy was crazy high, yet tense, because it was the first time we have led a game this season. When the final whistle blew, it felt as if we won the Super Bowl or something.”
The final goal marks Feid’s first game-winner of her career. Bondoc’s assist on the equalizer was her first of the season. Kissinger leads the team with four goals this fall.
After the weekend, Feid was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week for her game-winning goal and assist in Sunday’s game. This is her first honor of this kind, and she is now tied with Kissinger in leading the team with eight points.
The team is ready to finish conference strong. “We hope to carry the energy of the win into our last games,” Kissinger said. “We also hope to win more A-10 games against the teams this weekend.”
SLU closes out the 2015 fall season this weekend against Richmond on Oct. 30 at Soccer Park. They will play Loganwood at Villa Duchesne in St. Lous on Nov. 1.
