courtside

From 2018-2024, SLU was 1 of only 13 schools to play in all 7, Women’s Soccer NCAA Tournaments: Arkansas, BYU, Florida State, Georgetown, Milwaukee, North Carolina, Penn State, Rutgers, Saint Louis, Santa Clara, South Carolina, UCLA, USC. At 31, SLU had the best RPI of any team not in the 2025 NCAA Tourney. Ten schools with a worse RPI than SLU received NCAA Tourney at large bids. Many lost early in the NCAA Tourney.

Celebrate success. Sell success. https://x.com/sluwsoccer/status/1996249967464423475?s=46

Moved. SLU is adding UMass Goalkeeper transfer, Pepper Escher, to its 2026 recruiting class. Pepper, a Freshman, played her club soccer with FC Stars. And, she played her high school ball with Worcester Academy. She helped lead her FC Stars 06/07 ECNL team to back to back New England Conference Titles. She also helped her team to the National ECNL Playoffs Round of 16 in 2024. The New England Conference includes all of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and much of New York. At Worcester Academy, Pepper was named Boston Globe Prep Player of the Year, and the NEPSAC Player of the Year. She was also named All State, All New England, and United Soccer Coaches all American. Recently, Pepper was one of three goalkeepers, and one of 24 players that received a USYNT U20 call up in October, 2025. She was coached by USYNT U20 Goalkeeper coach Brittany Cameron, who is also an assistant at Wake Forest. https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2025/10/us-under-20-womens-national-team-calls-24-players-training-camp-kansas-city-mo

That’s last to know everything. It’s unfortunate that you and Marty would want Kevin Kalish fired before this weekend’s game. Why aren’t you more supportive of SLU Women’s sports Brian?

Maybe that’s why you haven’t had that 2nd promotion in the last 25 years.

It’s unsurprising, but sad, to see Brian, a 25 year SLU Athletic Department employee, still be this unsupportive of SLU Women’s Sports. And to be so frequently competitive with them is odd at best. I guess that means you and Marty won’t want Kevin Kalish to coach the SLU Men’s Soccer team this weekend, considering he has less NCAA Tourneys, and less percentage making the NCAA Tourney than Katie Shields, among other things. And, that’s with less resources and a more competitive landscape. I’m sure Kevin will have a good chuckle about with us at our upcoming dinner. Go Billikens. All Women and Men’s Sports. #rollbills #beboldbeblue

Celebrating, and selling, success: https://x.com/sluwsoccer/status/1996249967464423475?s=46

Gracie de-committed from Florida due to its coaching change. She had previously chosen Florida very closely over SLU. SLU re-recruited Gracie a 2nd time. But this time, she committed to Notre Dame.

And? SLU’s current GK coach (Megan Link) was a recent U16 USYNT goalkeeper coach. She recruited and she coached a player (Noelle Henning) who was named the best goalkeeper in the U20 Concacaf Championship. She also played for Canada’s U20 World Cup Team. She started for Michigan State’s Elite 8 team this year. Meg also recruited Kaitlyn Parks who plays for Sporting JAX in the USL Super League. Kaitlyn is a former All Big Ten Goalkeeper, who helped the Spartans to the Sweet 16. She also was a United Soccer Coaches All American. Kaitlyn Redshirted her Freshman year at Wake Forest. Lauren Kozal Redshirted her Freshman year at Michigan State. When Megan Link arrived, she helped Lauren become the two time Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year, and a two time All American. She plays professional in the Swiss Women’s Super League.

2026 SLU Soccer commits: Hana Allen. Glen Ellyn, Illinois (Chicago) Keira Bartholet. Webster Groves, MO Gianna Harris. New Orleans, LA Lucy Marsh. Webster Groves, MO Emma Naftanel. Colorado Springs, CO Leah Simpson. Carrolton, TX (Dallas) Pepper Escher. Brewster, MA (Cape Cod)

SLU is adding UMass Goalkeeper transfer, Pepper Escher, to its 2026 recruiting class. Pepper, a Freshman, played her club soccer with FC Stars. And, she played her high school ball with Worcester Academy. She helped lead her FC Stars 06/07 ECNL team to back to back New England Conference Titles. She also helped her team to the National ECNL Playoffs Round of 16 in 2024. The New England Conference includes all of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and much of New York. At Worcester Academy, Pepper was named Boston Globe Prep Player of the Year, and the NEPSAC Player of the Year. She was also named All State, All New England, and United Soccer Coaches all American. Recently, Pepper was one of three goalkeepers, and one of 24 players that received a USYNT U20 call up in October, 2025. She was coached by USYNT U20 Goalkeeper coach Brittany Cameron, who is also an assistant at Wake Forest. https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2025/10/us-under-20-womens-national-team-calls-24-players-training-camp-kansas-city-mo

As of today, we have reached over 1,000 players in the portal since August 1st. As for seeking more portal information or having it sooner, you can always set up your own portal tracker. You could then use your relationships with coaches and school administrators to obtain some of that information.

SLU recruited this player since she was in the 8th grade. As you illustrate with your replies, interest is high with both players SLU recruits, locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally, and, interest is high with local player destinations. Thanks again for being a faithful reader, and for your continued interest and support.

Still not quite accurate about football four programs but close enough.

Appreciate you. A few small errors. Two weeks remain to enter the portal. The current cycle extends well beyond that time. Also, it’s not a rise in football four programs. That isn’t anything new. Thanks again for being a faithful reader Waterloo Marty.