courtside

There’s a watch party at Grand Dining Hall.

SLU is adding James Madison transfer Jeanette Fieldsend to its 2026 recruiting class. She is a Redshirt Sophomore, with 2 years of eligibility remaining. Jeanette, is a 2 year starter in the central attacking midfield for the Dukes, where she has contributed 6 goals and 7 assists over 39 games. (31 starts) Jeanette also took many of their set pieces. She missed the 2024 season due to injury. She played, and she started, in 2023 and 2025. James Madison, under HC Josh Walters, was an NCAA Tourney team in 2023 and 2024. And, they were 1 PK away from returning this season. They had a top 50 RPI 2 of those seasons. Jeanette was named to the Sun Belt 2nd Team. Prior to JMU, Jeanette was a top 100 player at CSA club in Charlotte, NC. She was a 3 time First Team ECNL selection. That includes all of Virginia, North Carolina, and DC. Jeanette has also been a member of the U.S. Futsal team the past decade. Most recently, she was 1 of 14 players that represented the United States in the Concacaf Championship this past Spring. No stranger to the Billikens, Jeanette was recruited by SLU before she ended up at James Madison.

That’s great Willie. Mesa, or Saturday’s game?

Mesa, AZ is going to have to have wait a few more days. ABC: https://www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext/news/2025-mls-next-fest-to-feature-the-top-teams-from-north-america-competing-at-the-largest-youth-soccer-scouting-and-talent-identification-event-in-the-united-states

Norco, California today and tomorrow. Kansas City, Saturday through Monday. ABC. Always Be ‘Crootin.

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.

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

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.