The Saint Louis University women’s soccer team traveled to the East Coast for their final two games of the regular season. The first was against Virginia Commonwealth University on Oct. 29. Although the Billikens took nine shots overall in the first half, they were unable to find the back of the net. VCU experienced the same offensive struggle, which resulted in a scoreless first half.
The Rams began an offensive onslaught in the second half, recording ten overall shots. Benben prevented the Rams from taking the lead by making three saves, sending the game into overtime. She continued her impressive performance in overtime recording three saves in the extra 30 minutes. Although the Billikens earned ten corner kicks — which is a season high—the game ultimately ended in a scoreless draw making this the fifth shutout for the Billikens this season.
Senior forward Livi Logan-Wood led the Billiken offense with four overall shots, two of which were on goal. Benben recorded seven saves for the night.
SLU did not have to travel too far to play their final game against George Washington on Nov. 1. The Billikens and Colonials were evenly matched offensively in the first half, but neither could take the advantage ending in a scoreless first half. Benben was only required to make one save.
The second 45 minutes were much like the first until the 81st minute when the Colonial offense floated the ball into the right corner of the net to take a 1-0 lead. The Billikens were unable to recover with time winding down and fell to George Washington, 1-0.
Junior midfielder Shaney Sakamoto and sophomore midfielder Lauren Tondl both recorded a shot on goal. Benben finished her career at SLU ranked third in career wins with 23 victories, 219 saves, and 4,729 minutes of play. She also ended this season with her career best save percentage (.824) and goals against percentage (0.96).
Benben reflected on her career at Saint Louis University commenting, “My career at SLU made me who I am today. Without the women’s soccer program, coaches, and amazing teammates I would not know what true commitment, discipline, and hard work are. I am forever thankful to have values be such a huge part of my life; it has led me and will continue to lead me to be a better person. The games this past weekend didn’t seem any different than any other game I have played at SLU. I don’t know if it’s because it hasn’t hit me yet that it’s over or that I have not accepted that it’s over , but I am not ready to do that yet.”
SLU ends the season with an overall record of 8-9-2, 2-6-2 in the Atlantic 10 conference. The Billikens will look to build upon this season’s positive strides in order to prepare for the 2016 season.
