SLU Women's Soccer Thread

[Lord Elrond]

59 minutes ago, Pistol said:

Good grief.

Welcome to D-I, Lindenwood.

No box score available yet but goals were scored by Kelly, Gaebe (2), Friedrich (2), Larson (2), Lawler, and Groark.

Hard to say how this will translate against stronger competition but I have a feeling the scoring touch that was missing for much of last season might not be an issue this year.

I sure hope so. On the defensive side, they didn’t allow a single shot all game. Puricelli could have just taken a nap…

Welcome to D1 Lindenwood…

[courtside]

Good to see some SLU commits, and, SLU targets out at the game. Exhibition games vary, and, they are opportunities for high minute players to get reps playing together, to get as many players as possible in the game, and, for new players to get some experience too. SLU was able to do those things. It’s also an opportunity to tinker with formations a little bit based on personnel and need. 4-2-3-1, 4-1-3-2, etc…

Another important thing is limiting injury. Unfortunately SLU already has one prior to the Lindenwood game, with a key player, (Simon, right leg) hoping for the best for the upcoming big games and the season. Julia is an expected immediate high impact transfer at both central attacking midfield, as well as forward. Most recently she was the United Women’s Soccer MVP this Summer.

With Simon, Groark, Larson, and Friedrich, that’s 4 high healthier high minute high level players in addition to what SLU already has playing, (Kelly, Gaebe) and, in addition to other new attacking third recruits. All of this is  combined with a fully fit Lawler and completely returning defense and defensive midfield, with extra depth as well.

SLU is a national top 32 team from last season. They are expected to be a top 16 national seed, a Sweet 16 team with the chance for more than that this season, if everything falls into place. Expectations are high. Some may forget all of what SLU accomplished last season. 

The Lindenwood game was an expected lopsided game and score, as Lindenwood makes the transition from D-2, to D-1. Lindenwood is already making progress getting some some transfers, as well as a little bit higher level of interest on the recruiting trail by now being D-1. Success will take time.

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In other exhibition action, upcoming SLU opponent Arkansas, defeated Kansas 6-0 at Kansas in their exhibition game. 

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Welcome to former Billiken Elli Brunts as she will be a Volunteer Coach this season with SLU. Elli prepped at Ursuline Academy in Dallas, and played with Dallas Texans prior to SLU. A very cerebral player, Elli provided key defensive bench minutes a few seasons ago. 

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All the best to Mattyn Summers and her family, as Mattyn will not be playing with SLU for the 2024 season.
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The upcoming Evansville exhibition gives SLU a much more challenging opponent, an MVC team, and it gives SLU a chance to get some road trip experience prior to the season, and all the things that go with that.

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[Cowboy II]

-what's the outlook for Simon's recovery?

[courtside]

1 minute ago, Cowboy II said:

-what's the outlook for Simon's recovery?

Still being determined. It’s very recent. Have to wait and see. Hoping for the best for her and the team short and long term. 

[Lord Elrond]

32 minutes ago, courtside said:

Still being determined. It’s very recent. Have to wait and see. Hoping for the best for her and the team short and long term. 

She was on crutches, but that was it, no visible braces or anything else. Hopefully minor

[Cowboy II]

2 hours ago, courtside said:

Still being determined. It’s very recent. Have to wait and see. Hoping for the best for her and the team short and long term. 

-thank you

1 hour ago, Lord Elrond said:

She was on crutches, but that was it, no visible braces or anything else. Hopefully minor

-don't like that

[cgeldmacher]

I'm glad area recruits got to see the difference between what we have at SLU and what new D1 program Lindenwood has to offer.  Not sure that any decent local recruits saw Lindenwood as an option, but if they did, hopefully, this gave them a dose of reality.

[Lord Elrond]

Between SIUE winning the last two OVC tournaments and SLU winning the last 4 A10 tournaments (and associated NCAA automatic bid) and both SIUE and SLU being preseason favorites to win their conferences again, Lindenwood has their work cut out for them to be sure.  Lindenwood was also picked to be last in the OVC this year in womens soccer as well.

[Pistol]

What's crazy is that there are no other easy home games after the Lindenwood exhibition. They start with #8 Arkansas, they've got #16 ND. Nebraska was at least a bottom half Big Ten team last year. Then SIUE is supposed to win the OVC, like you said. This schedule is no joke.

[courtside]

54 minutes ago, cgeldmacher said:

I'm glad area recruits got to see the difference between what we have at SLU and what new D1 program Lindenwood has to offer.  Not sure that any decent local recruits saw Lindenwood as an option, but if they did, hopefully, this gave them a dose of reality.

When SLU recruits, the vast majority of the time, they are recruiting against Power 5 schools (SEC, Big 10, ACC, Big 12, Pac 12) for players. SLU also recruits regularly against a few schools in the WCC, Big East, A10. There are a few random Ivy and AAC league school once in a while, more often Ivy. Money and types of offers also come into play. That’s a whole other conversation.)

Unlike Men’s Soccer, Power 5 has full leagues for all of their schools. It’s a much bigger deal.  If SLU’s coaching staff had a nickel for how many times they have heard the phrase Power 5, they would have a lot of nickels. 

There are currently many fun recruiting battles going on right now. It’s all part of the grind.

Good luck to Lindenwood and Dave Musso, as they transition from D-2 to D-1. Exciting times for them with some growing pains. It’s a tough challenge that takes time. They will and they already are attracting a little bit higher caliber of recruit as they switch to D-1. Their longer term goal would be to get to an SIUE level in their league. 

(Central Missouri is a D-2 power in the region and nationally. Wash U is a D-3 power in the region and nationally.)

So, the sell is SLU vs Power 5. (and that’s a whole other conversation with what goes into that)

 

[Lord Elrond]

1 hour ago, Pistol said:

What's crazy is that there are no other easy home games after the Lindenwood exhibition. They start with #8 Arkansas, they've got #16 ND. Nebraska was at least a bottom half Big Ten team last year. Then SIUE is supposed to win the OVC, like you said. This schedule is no joke.

This schedule is not a joke. I guess Coach Shields thinks “to be the best, you have to beat the best”. I think her goal is to be a top 16 team year after year (or be in the mix to be a top 16 team). To do that, she has to play and beat some other really good teams. The A10 is not highly regarded as a womens soccer league, so you have to go outside the league to play those teams. I have no idea when the last time someone who did not win the A10 tournament went to the NCAA tournament in womens soccer, if ever. So, to make the NCAA, she must either win the tournament, or get her team so highly regarded they can lose in the A10 tournament and still be thought worthy of a bid (in order to survive an upset in the tournament). In the ACC, where 8 teams made the tournament last year, it may be a different calculation. Remember, last year it took a late goal against Rhody to tie the game, and a header in the 2nd OT to make it to the final 4 in the A10 tournament.

[bauman]

I am certainly not a MD but I am surprised that Hannah Larson is not wearing anything to protect her knee from re-injury.  I would hate to lose her again this year.

[courtside]

1 hour ago, bauman said:

I am certainly not a MD but I am surprised that Hannah Larson is not wearing anything to protect her knee from re-injury.  I would hate to lose her again this year.

Because many doctors and studies say it doesn’t help. Some surgeons don’t even have patients wear them immediately after surgery. Others will recommend it for 10 days to 3 weeks. That’s it. That time range is common. As for wearing one while playing, you may see, rare, occasional players try to play with one long after their surgery and rehab. But those players are harder to fine these days. Studies and science don’t support it. 

Each situation is unique based on specifics to their injury and recovery. 9 months is a general typical time for back on the field. (3 months is when many start a walking/jogging type of program). Larson played Spring ball without incident a year after her injury.

Emily Groark had her surgery roughly around Thanksgiving. She played some Summer ball to test it out, roughly 7 months later. It went fine. Now at 9 months out, she is ready to play. (She occasionally wore her brace here and there while rehabbing.)

2023 SLU commit Lucie Schwartz is ready to play this Fall club ball after injuring hers during basketball this past December and completing rehab this Spring. 

Maci Teater started playing competitive games 10 months after hers without any issues. She played this past Spring with Maddie Pokorny in Denmark, without issue, before heading to UNC this Summer. 

A knee brace or protective covering isn’t going to help her prevent possible injury. (Exercise prevention programs are designed to try to help.)

But there is always a risk, and increased risk (often to the other knee) after having the injury. Stats vary but percentages are in the teens of having another one within 5 years of the first one. 

Hannah, Emily, and Anna (who have all had the injury) all have worked hard, and are fit, and ready to have potential big seasons if all goes well.

 

 

 

 

[RiseOfTheBillikens]

49 minutes ago, courtside said:

Because many doctors and studies say it doesn’t help. Some surgeons don’t even have patients wear them immediately after surgery. Others will recommend it for 10 days to 3 weeks. That’s it. That time range is common. As for wearing one while playing, you may see, rare, occasional players try to play with one long after their surgery and rehab. But those players are harder to fine these days. Studies and science don’t support it. 

Each situation is unique based on specifics to their injury and recovery. 9 months is a general typical time for back on the field. (3 months is when many start a walking/jogging type of program). Larson played Spring ball without incident a year after her injury.

Emily Groark had her surgery roughly around Thanksgiving. She played some Summer ball to test it out, roughly 7 months later. It went fine. Now at 9 months out, she is ready to play. (She occasionally wore her brace here and there while rehabbing.)

2023 SLU commit Lucie Schwartz is ready to play this Fall club ball after injuring hers during basketball this past December and completing rehab this Spring. 

Maci Teater started playing competitive games 10 months after hers without any issues. She played this past Spring with Maddie Pokorny in Denmark, without issue, before heading to UNC this Summer. 

A knee brace or protective covering isn’t going to help her prevent possible injury. (Exercise prevention programs are designed to try to help.)

But there is always a risk, and increased risk (often to the other knee) after having the injury. Stats vary but percentages are in the teens of having another one within 5 years of the first one. 

Hannah, Emily, and Anna (who have all had the injury) all have worked hard, and are fit, and ready to have potential big seasons if all goes well.

 

 

 

 

Umm Source?

[bauman]

Having Anna Lawler back is big as long as she is 100% healthy.  Probably one of the best players to come out of STL high school in the last 5 years.  Also thanks for the update on Hannah and Emily.  I can't remember if we have ever had a team this deep.  I think our 2nd string could finish in the middle of the A 10.

[courtside]

11 hours ago, bauman said:

Having Anna Lawler back is big as long as she is 100% healthy.  Probably one of the best players to come out of STL high school in the last 5 years.  Also thanks for the update on Hannah and Emily.  I can't remember if we have ever had a team this deep.  I think our 2nd string could finish in the middle of the A 10.

Sure.

Lawler is fit and ready to play full games. She also played some summer ball. Like you said, some people may be unaware that Anna and Emily worth both high level national recruits. (as was Hannah L) Then you have Julia Simon, the Freshmen class, and the bulk of last year’s NCAA Rd 32 team. 

SLU wants to compete at the highest level, compete for national championships, etc…They will be 2-3 deep at every position this season. They definitely have a “2nd 11” that we talk about it that is necessary to compete against top level teams. 

The 2023 class is also very good. And, the battles are ongoing for 2024. Upcoming opponents Arkansas, Notre Dame, etc…are just a few of the types and levels of schools SLU recruits against. 

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Evansville presents a little bit more competitive exhibition opponent, making the finals of the MVC tourney last year. (falling to new A10 team Loyola Chicago) They return most of their players. It’s a good opportunity to get some road game experience. 

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Lindenwood had a 0-0 exhibition draw with UMKC.

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Congratulations to SLU Freshman Clare Nicholas for making First Team ECNL for the 2nd straight year. Very versatile at left wing, wing back, etc..Clare helped lead her club to the ECNL national quarterfinals this Summer, as well as national runner up finish the year prior. 

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[courtside]

Exhibition:

SLU 4 Evansville 0. 

(Miller, H Smith, Gaebe 2)

23 SLU players were able to see double digit minutes or more playing time. Shots were 35-2. 17 shots were on goal, including posts and crossbars. Corners were 10-2. 4-2-3-1 with some tinkering.

 

[Lord Elrond]

On 8/12/2022 at 6:50 PM, bauman said:

I am certainly not a MD but I am surprised that Hannah Larson is not wearing anything to protect her knee from re-injury.  I would hate to lose her again this year.

She played in the spring without wearing anything 

[drkelsey55]

13 hours ago, Lord Elrond said:

She played in the spring without wearing anything 

Really???

[Lord Elrond]

5 hours ago, drkelsey55 said:

Really???

Yep. She was at full speed too.

[courtside]

55 minutes ago, Lord Elrond said:

Yep. She was at full speed too.

https://www.billikens.com/forum/index.php?/topic/29777-slu-womens-soccer-thread/&do=findComment&comment=725208

 

[courtside]

Arkansas Week for SLU. 

Arkansas has won the last 3 SEC Regular Season Titles. They have made the NCAA Tourney 8 out of the last 9 seasons under Colby Hale. This includes 3 Sweet 16’s and an NCAA Quarterfinal last season. (which saw only penalty kicks separate Arkansas from the Final Four.)

The Razorbacks lose six key players including All American Parker Goins. And they lost some size and length. But they return everyone else and, they add another strong recruiting class. 

The Podojil sisters are back, including Ellie who sat out last year with injury. Anna Podojil was a First Team All American, dangerous attacking player, scoring, and assisting others. Bryana Hunter returns to anchor their back line, another First Team SEC player. Jessica  DeFillipo returns up front as well after getting injured midway through last season. UCLA transfer Shana Flynn was added to help add depth to the back line. 

A couple of Stl connections: Ava “Tank” Tankersley has 24 career starts at Forward, a Fort Zumwalt South (FZS) and SLSG product. Same school as SLU commit Ashley Miller, as well as two other current SLU recruiting targets. Tank will be a factor up top for Arkansas. And Izzy Luebbert, a versatile SLSG left back from Jefferson City. Her sister plays professionally in NWSL for Chicago. 

Arkansas plays a super aggressive high risk, high reward pressing style. SLU will have to be crisp and clean in back. 

When we talk about recruiting, Arkansas is a good example of a type of team that SLU recruits against. Getting a result against them gets noticed and moves the needle. Great opportunity for SLU. A plethora of SLU committed players, and, SLU recruiting targets will be at the game. 

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SLU is likely to start out in a 4-2-3-1. They can also go 4-1-3-2 when they want to play two up top. Some schools play 3 in back, SLU often uses 4 based personnel and preference.

If SLU is without Simon, SLU looks to be:

Puricelli in goal, Houck, Stram, Heckel, Halverson along the back line. Lawler and Miller in the defensive midfield. Larson, Friedrich, Groark across the attacking midfield and Kelly up top. 

SLU has a 2nd 11 at every position. Some of those will see more time than others. But all are capable of playing high minutes. Look for Gaebe up top, Smith and Sawyer on the wings, Walsh in the middle, Paloucek and Kohl in the defensive midfield, and Beach and Nicholas at wing backs. Brinkman and Hiatt are available if needed at center back.

It isn’t a make or break game for SLU. But, it’s a great early season opportunity to get a result over the 3 time SEC champs and, a top caliber team. 

 

 

[Lord Elrond]

A letter to the editor in todays Post-Dispatch.  I copied it for those without a subscription. I don’t know the guy who wrote this, but obviously a fan of the team.
 

 

I appreciated the article “Halverson’s sixth year at SLU gives veteran women’s soccer player a defensive presence” (Aug. 7). Brionna Halverson is amazing as is the rest of the St. Louis University Women’s Soccer Team. Watching her motor the ball from one end of the field to the other at a sprint, dribbling around and through multiple defenders along the way, is always a thrilling sight to see. We find it so extremely uplifting watching these young women (including their opposition) play with such passion and joy.

 

This is truly a team our region should enjoy more and be proud to support.

Jay Unnerstall • St. Louis

[Cowboy II]

-SLU website indicates ESPN+ for tonight

-Go get 'em Ladies

[SLUBALLS]

Will be there with my daughter tonight.....hoping she gets a bit inspired watching the ladies after she gets her obligatory face painting, balloon and wears herself out in the inflatables.