The Saint Louis University women’s soccer team faced Atlantic 10 opponent, Richmond, at home on Oct. 8. The Billiken offense got the ball moving early and found the back of the net in the eighth minute. Senior defender Jackie Tondl had a shot on the goal that resulted in a point-blank rebound goal for senior forward Livi Logan-Wood. Richmond responded one minute later with a goal of their own, tying the game 1-1. The score would remain deadlocked through the rest of the half.
SLU kept the pressure on early in the second half. Their intensity paid off in the 61st minute when junior forward Kirsten Clemens found junior midfielder Danielle Tolmais for a quick tap into the goal, giving the Billikens a 2-1 lead. This score held for the rest of the 90 minutes, resulting in a victory for the Billikens, their eighth of the season. Overall, the Billikens outshot the Spiders 12-8, as well as shots on goal, 7-4.
After the victory, the Billikens traveled to Virginia to play George Mason on Oct. 11. Both teams were evenly matched, with neither being able to gain an advantage. The game remained scoreless until the 83 minute, when the ball snuck past senior keeper Hanna Benben, giving George Mason a 1-0 lead. The Billikens were unable to recover within the short time remaining and ultimately lost 1-0. Tolmais led the team with three shots, with freshman forward Maddie Pokorny and junior midfielder Tori Marshall each recording a shot as well.
The Billikens continued their road schedule on Oct. 15 against Fordham. The game remained scoreless for the first half thanks in large part to Benben’s reliable hands. In the 51st minute, the Rams snuck a shot by Benben for a 1-0 lead. The Billikens were unable to respond and again fell 1-0. Benben made eight saves, and Tolmais had a team-high three shots. With this performance, Benben passed Amanda Martin for third place on SLU’s career charts in saves (198) and minutes played (4,239).
SLU returned to Hermann Stadium to play St. Bonaventure on Oct. 18. Although the Billikens destroyed the Bonnies in overall shots, 19-5, they ultimately fell 1-0 due to a goal in the 73 minute. Marshall led both teams in total shots with a career-high seven, and a career-high-tying three shots on goal. The Billikens had a 7-3 advantage in shots on goal and a 5-2 lead in corner kicks.
This is the Billiken’s ninth game that has been decided by one goal this season, with six of these coming in the first six conference games. This is the first time that this has occurred in the history of the women’s program. With the loss, the Billikens drop to 8-7 overall and 2-4 in conference.
They will continue their A-10 schedule on Oct. 22, against Saint Joseph’s in the annual “Kicks against Breast Cancer” with a 7 p.m. kickoff time.
SLU’s successful completion of eight victories this season ties the total wins they had for last year when the team was 8-10 overall.
