SLU women’s soccer’s impressive start to the season encountered a road bump, with SLU crashing to a 3-1 defeat against Southern Methodist University at Westcott Field in Dallas, Texas. SLU played a relatively even game through the first half, but SMU capitalized on their second-half scoring opportunities to ensure that SLU dropped to a 6-2 overall record.
SMU struck first with a goal in the 10th minute, but senior forward Danielle Tolmais tied the game up off an assist from senior midfielder Shaney Sakamoto in the 24th minute. However, that would prove to be the closest SLU came to a victory in the match. There were no more goals scored in the first half, and both teams finished with 2 shots each. The second half, though, proved to be a different affair. SMU outshot SLU 9 shots to 6, and SLU ultimately allowed 2 goals in the second half.
While the loss brought SLU down to a 6-2 record,they still have much to be proud of through their first eight games of the season. Tolmais leads the team in goals, with 5, and has chipped in an assist as well, to give her the team lead in points, with 11. Her points lead is 3 clear of the closest Billikens, freshman forward Alyssa Seitzer and Sakamoto. Seitzer has added 4 goals for SLU in the past four games, and has the highest shots converted percentage, .364, on the team. Meanwhile, Sakamoto has 2 goals and 4 assists. Her 4 assists are only one shy of the team leader in assists, defender Isabella Palazzolo.
SLU’s final game before the conference season starts came against Murray State, on a day reserved for the release of the new Billiken mascot. While SLU controlled the game in both the first and second halves, it took until the second period of overtime for SLU to finally earn their winning goal. Sophomore forward Lindsay Sands initially had her shot saved by the Murray State goalkeeper, and the ball fell to a Racer defender. However, Sands intercepted the defender’s clearance, and managed to smash home her third goal of the season.
The goal improved SLU’s record to 7-2, which will go down as SLU’s non-conference record.
SLU will have a short break before facing Dayton on Sept. 29 to open up their Atlantic 10 conference schedule. The team will aim to earn a playoff place for this November’s A-10 Conference Championship, held in Kingston, Rhode Island.
