SLU Women's Soccer Thread

[billikenfan05]

Incredible stuff from Women's Soccer here. https://x.com/SLUWSoccer/status/1704977626543055243?s=20

[courtside]

RPI after Thursday’s games:

SLU 24

BYU 7

Nebraska 19

Brown 57

…………

Scouting the Dayton Flyers:

Dayton likes to play a familiar 4-2-3-1.

They lost forward Itala Gemelli to transfer to Alabama, but, they have held steady without her. 

Lots of experienced players in their lineup. 

Reda was a big upgrade in goal last season as a Freshman. 

Several time all conference player Mackenzie Lutz is back for a final year at center back, playing with Raimondi who moved over. 

They play through Taylor and Wilson who are experienced in the holding midfield, out wide to Blain’s side on the wing. They have Huber up top to begin halves but Ferguson plays a lot and brings a high motor and physicality. Bowman is a 3rd option there that can also play midfield. Gianino shares time with Blain. Benigno back at center mid. 

Bowman and Gianino were club teammates of SLU Freshman Nina Preusser. 

Dayton beefed up their schedule this year, and, playing four Power 5 schools without defeat in any of those games.

Dayton is well coached and they are well organized. They are a 40ish RPI team looking for a big road win opportunity. They lack numbers and pace sometimes up top with their formation. But they get good support from its holding mids. 

Dayton is going to want to keep it a defensive game. They have hiven up just 8 goals all season, 2 less than SLU. Opportunity for SLU to open up with a 4-1-3-2. SLU prefers to wait until half time or during the game to see if they need to switch formations for more scoring to change from their more preferred 4-2–3-1. There is also some opportunity for SLU using the width of the field, putting pressure on UD's outside backs and winning set pieces and corners.

[Lord Elrond]

It’s said getting a tie is like kissing your sister. If that’s true, then judging by her reaction, Coach Shields must HATE to kiss her sister. However, looking at the reaction of the Dayton fans after the game, kissing your sister must be one of the most popular things there is to do in Dayton…

1-1 tie, SLU had its chances, but the ball didn’t go in, and when you can’t score more than one goal you have to be perfect on defense, because just one trip is all it takes to end up in a tie. Nice goal by Emily Gaebe to get SLU ahead at the 52nd minute in the second half, but in the 70th minute Dayton got the ball down to the SLU goal and the defense just couldn’t stop it from getting in, so there you are. SLU outshot the Flyers 20-12, and got 10 corner kicks to their 5, but shots on goal were even at 7 each. Oh well, on to the next opponent, I’d say take it out on them and score as many goals as you can so you get the tiebreaker for hosting A10 conference tourney games at SLU.

Interesting note, the 2020 season would have seen an interesting high school matchup between Nerinx Hall and St Joseph’s Academy if not for Covid.  There were 6 players who would have met on the field in that game playing D1 soccer today, Emily Puricelli (SLU) and Maddie Bowman (Dayton) from St Joseph’s, and Lyndsey Heckel, Jess Preusser, and Nina Preusser (SLU) and Emma Gianino (Dayton) from Nerinx Hall. That’s a lot of talent on one high school field at the same time.

[courtside]

On 9/22/2023 at 9:41 AM, courtside said:

RPI after Thursday’s games:

SLU 24

BYU 7

Nebraska 19

Brown 57

…………

Scouting the Dayton Flyers:

Dayton likes to play a familiar 4-2-3-1.

They lost forward Itala Gemelli to transfer to Alabama, but, they have held steady without her. 

Lots of experienced players in their lineup. 

Reda was a big upgrade in goal last season as a Freshman. 

Several time all conference player Mackenzie Lutz is back for a final year at center back, playing with Raimondi who moved over. 

They play through Taylor and Wilson who are experienced in the holding midfield, out wide to Blain’s side on the wing. They have Huber up top to begin halves but Ferguson plays a lot and brings a high motor and physicality. Bowman is a 3rd option there that can also play midfield. Gianino shares time with Blain. Benigno back at center mid. 

Bowman and Gianino were club teammates of SLU Freshman Nina Preusser. 

Dayton beefed up their schedule this year, and, playing four Power 5 schools without defeat in any of those games.

Dayton is well coached and they are well organized. They are a 40ish RPI team looking for a big road win opportunity. They lack numbers and pace sometimes up top with their formation. But they get good support from its holding mids. 

Dayton is going to want to keep it a defensive game. They have hiven up just 8 goals all season, 2 less than SLU. Opportunity for SLU to open up with a 4-1-3-2. SLU prefers to wait until half time or during the game to see if they need to switch formations for more scoring to change from their more preferred 4-2–3-1. There is also some opportunity for SLU using the width of the field, putting pressure on UD's outside backs and winning set pieces and corners.

SLU 1 Dayton 1

Disappointing result for SLU. That starts with the staff. And it extends to the team. 

…………

Formations:

No surprises. Both teams played a 4–2-3-1. SLU didn’t even switch to a 4-1-3-2 until 12 minutes left in the game. 

When SLU plays an aggressive, attacking team, playing a 4-2-3-1 is effective to defend, counter in transition, pressure, and to get numbers and space in the final 3rd.

When SLU plays a defensive team or a team with a defensive alignment, playing a 4–1-3-2 is more effective to match numbers up top, and to put pressure on the defense.

The mindset is to aggressively to get a goal or two early in the game to open up the game which is how SLU prefers to play. 

…………….

Dayton was content to let SLU have possession in the first half. And SLU did create several good scoring chances. But SLU turned the ball over too often in the middle of the field. And SLU’s wide service and set pieces weren’t efficient enough, not getting support from its holding mids and outside backs. Houck was a sometimes exception. 

Larson did the heavy lifting on offense in the first half and later Gaebe. And that continued in the 2nd. 

Near misses: Larson had a corner near post to Stram, whose driving header banged off of the post. Stram has scored twice before this season on the same play. Unlucky there.

Sawyer hit the cross bar from the left side of the box. Ball in space from Lawler. Kelly and Gaebe were stopped in alone by Reda.

Mentioned how big of an upgrade Reda has been since arriving last year. She handled many wide and end line service, some corners and set pieces. She also made several point blank saves coming out and cutting the angle 1v1. A couple more from both Gaebe and Kelly in the 2nd half too. Few mistakes. 

Dayton had exactly 4 good scoring chances all game, and just one in the first, a shot from distance by Benigno that was not a problem for Puricelli.

…………..

Gaebe applied heavy pressure in the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half and eventually she best the double and triple teams. She received a ball in space and made a diagonal run through two defenders including all conference Mackenzie Lutz and buried it above Reda.

Sawyer made a run on the left end line cut back from Kelly in from 8 yards but finished too close to Reda. Simon won a free kick from 18. Larson diagonal run from the right side. Dayton defended wide service well and free kicks. 

Dayton’s goal came from winning a ball at midfield, sent into space on the left side. Defense was too casual and gave up too much space on the target pass and space on the give and go. No clear beyond the far post as the cross went through everyone. Multiple blocked shots and failed clears into its own players by SLU. 7 Billikens in the box and loose ball rolls to Benigno who finished it well low far corner. Seemingly harmless play pinged around several players. At least half a dozen players could have cleared it. 

Larson to Bockius header to Gaebe from 2 yards out but Reda was there. Sawyer low near post wide. SLU had its chances. 

A would be 3-0 type of game controlled by SLU turned into a 1-1 draw. 

……………..

Discussed pregame that Dayton is well coached, well organized, but they lack both numbers up top and fire power at times. They win and lose as a group. They had a little luck, made some final 18 yard defensive plays, and they finished one of very few chances in the game.

They have found ways to get some results this season against decent teams. 2-2 v Michigan State, 2-1 over Louisville. 0-0 with Illinois, 4-1 over Cincinnati. 

……………

Terrific game from Alyssa Bockius. She was easily SLU’s best holding midfielder. Defense, tackle, 50/50, very accurate short and long passing, high effort and high execution. She was out of the game for 3 minutes when Dayton scored. 

Jordan Gary also had a nice game on the wing in the first half. Houck had a good game. Larson and Gaebe too. 

SLU chose not to play Kelly and Gaebe together most of the game either up top or on the wing. 

…………

Big win for Brown at Harvard 2-0 on 2 set piece goals from Allen. They are getting it together.

But 2 tough results as Nebraska lost 1-0 late to #2 Penn State.. Nebraska had their chances. And Creighton had a good 2nd half but too slow of a start in a 1-0 loss to top 25 Georgetown. 

…………..

RPI after Sunday:

SLU 21

BYU 7

Nebraska 25

 

[courtside]

Full non-conference RPI (plus Dayton.)

SLU 21

BYU 7

Nebraska 27

Xavier 29

Dayton 33

Brown 36

……………..

Creighton 91

……………..

Utah State 129

SIUE 164

Kansas City 239

…………….…

SLU In the polls:

Top Drawer Soccer 24

College Soccer News 23

……………..

[Cowboy II]

-I didn't see in the pregame notes but did this tie put an end to an A10 home winning streak? winning, not unbeaten

[courtside]

1 hour ago, Cowboy II said:

-I didn't see in the pregame notes but did this tie put an end to an A10 home winning streak? winning, not unbeaten

The last time SLU had a league home draw was 2017. The last time they lost a league game at home was 2015.

SLU is now 11-0-2 in their last 13 vs Dayton.

SLU Women’s Soccer has won 70% or more of its Atlantic 10 league Games all of the previous 7 seasons prior to this season. And, they will likely do it again this season.

To understand for reference, SLU Men’s hoops has won 70% or more of their Atlantic 10 league games, 3 times in their last 18 Atlantic 10 seasons. 

[Cowboy II]

-bummer that SVU ends the winning streak, a real bummer

[courtside]

New 2025 commit is Blakely Hockett from Edwardsville, IL.

Blake is a defender who plays club ball and Super Cup with SLSG. She played one year of high school soccer with 2024 SLU commit Ulla Sharp.

She was a First Team All Conference player as a Center Back with SLSG Green U17 last season. She also played multiple positions on the 2023 SLSG Navy U17 National Championship team with SLU commits Audrey Smith and Ava Rademeyer. 

Blake is a 5’10 physical and pace defender who can play center back, outside back, or holding midfield as needed. 

In the Winter and Spring she also finds the time to be a hooper and track runner at Edwardsville high school. 

Her older sister played Summer Ball with several current Billikens this past Summer. 

Blakely considered schools from the Mountain West, Big East, SEC, Big 12, and Big 10. 

 

[Cowboy II]

-do I count correctly that this is the last season for 9 current players?

[courtside]

On 9/25/2023 at 2:27 PM, Cowboy II said:

-bummer that SVU ends the winning streak, a real bummer

If you can't be happy with SLU being 11-0-2 in their last 13 vs Dayton, then perhaps, you can't be happy.

[billikenfan05]

On 9/24/2023 at 4:59 PM, Lord Elrond said:

It’s said getting a tie is like kissing your sister. If that’s true, then judging by her reaction, Coach Shields must HATE to kiss her sister. However, looking at the reaction of the Dayton fans after the game, kissing your sister must be one of the most popular things there is to do in Dayton…

1-1 tie, SLU had its chances, but the ball didn’t go in, and when you can’t score more than one goal you have to be perfect on defense, because just one trip is all it takes to end up in a tie. Nice goal by Emily Gaebe to get SLU ahead at the 52nd minute in the second half, but in the 70th minute Dayton got the ball down to the SLU goal and the defense just couldn’t stop it from getting in, so there you are. SLU outshot the Flyers 20-12, and got 10 corner kicks to their 5, but shots on goal were even at 7 each. Oh well, on to the next opponent, I’d say take it out on them and score as many goals as you can so you get the tiebreaker for hosting A10 conference tourney games at SLU.

Interesting note, the 2020 season would have seen an interesting high school matchup between Nerinx Hall and St Joseph’s Academy if not for Covid.  There were 6 players who would have met on the field in that game playing D1 soccer today, Emily Puricelli (SLU) and Maddie Bowman (Dayton) from St Joseph’s, and Lyndsey Heckel, Jess Preusser, and Nina Preusser (SLU) and Emma Gianino (Dayton) from Nerinx Hall. That’s a lot of talent on one high school field at the same time.

Meant to reply to this earlier, but I really feel like we've seen it too many times where this team causes its own problems in the back line. Lack of urgency to clear the ball has been the catalyst for a large % of their goals against this and last season.

[Cowboy II]

-I am not happy with a home tie to SVU, I do not like SVU

[courtside]

No in depth previews for George Mason and Richmond, as they are two of the worst teams in the country, and they are both going through coaching transitions.

Manya Puppione was put on leave at George Mason earlier this season. They struggled a lot in her 3 seasons. They have a younger team. She and her husband Bobby are well regarded in coaching circles. Bobby is the director of Girls Academy Power House TSJ FC Virginia in the talent rich DC market.

Richmond is in a different situation, Adam Denton took the unusual step to leave Davidson for Richmond. He did a good job at Davidson, and, he believes he will have more support and a higher long term ceiling at Richmond. It will take a few seasons but I believe he can get Richmond to the RPI top 100. 

George Mason has an RPI of 281.

Richmond has an RPI of 311.

The first goal is to get these programs to the top 200, and eventually closer to the top 100.

 

[Lord Elrond]

Billikens get the job done, 3-0. George Mason just couldn’t get any offense going all game, kept getting shut down by the midfielders and defense.  Patriots had only 3 shots all game, only 1 on goal, and no corners, Billikens got 18 shots, 6 on goal and 6 corners.  Goal in the first half by Hannah Larson, goals in the second half by Hannah Sawyer and a nice header by Anna Lawler. Plenty of SLU subs got lots of minutes late in the game, it was as one sided as it sounds. Only real excitement was a yellow card on Emily Gaebe that got Coach Shields a yellow for arguing with the ref, then seconds later Chris Allen gets a yellow too. That’s the second this year on Chris Allen, if he keeps going and gets enough does he eventually have to sit out a game for yellow card accumulation like in MLS?  
 

With the win SLU is on top and in control of its own destiny in the conference with 10 pts at 3-0-1. UMass, LaSalle and Dayton at 9 points each. On to VCU next on 10/1 per the old schedule, then Richmond at home 10/8.

[billikenfan05]

1 minute ago, Lord Elrond said:

Billikens get the job done, 3-0. George Mason just couldn’t get any offense going all game, kept getting shut down by the midfielders and defense.  Patriots had only 3 shots all game, only 1 on goal, and no corners, Billikens got 18 shots, 6 on goal and 6 corners.  Goal in the first half by Hannah Larson, goals in the second half by Hannah Sawyer and a nice header by Anna Lawler. Plenty of SLU subs got lots of minutes late in the game, it was as one sided as it sounds. Only real excitement was a yellow card on Emily Gaebe that got Coach Shields a yellow for arguing with the ref, then seconds later Chris Allen gets a yellow too. That’s the second this year on Chris Allen, if he keeps going and gets enough does he eventually have to sit out a game for yellow card accumulation like in MLS?  
 

With the win SLU is on top and in control of its own destiny in the conference with 10 pts at 3-0-1. UMass, LaSalle and Dayton at 9 points each. On to VCU next on 10/1 per the old schedule, then Richmond at home 10/8.

Mason put their coach "on leave" midway through the season and are operating with an interim who gave up the same Head Coaching job to work in the Mason admin. One outlet said fired, either way the Mason program is in actual shambles. I'm sure the Bills feel like they should have hung 10 on Mason.

[Lord Elrond]

23 minutes ago, billikenfan05 said:

Mason put their coach "on leave" midway through the season and are operating with an interim who gave up the same Head Coaching job to work in the Mason admin. One outlet said fired, either way the Mason program is in actual shambles. I'm sure the Bills feel like they should have hung 10 on Mason.

3 points on the road is 3 points on the road though, so I’ll take it. I’m not sure what George Mason gained by getting rid of their coach mid-season, but oh well. The interim head coach is probably emphasizing defense over anything. 

[courtside]

21 hours ago, courtside said:

No in depth previews for George Mason and Richmond, as they are two of the worst teams in the country, and they are both going through coaching transitions.

Manya Puppione was put on leave at George Mason earlier this season. They struggled a lot in her 3 seasons. They have a younger team. She and her husband Bobby are well regarded in coaching circles. Bobby is the director of Girls Academy Power House TSJ FC Virginia in the talent rich DC market.

Richmond is in a different situation, Adam Denton took the unusual step to leave Davidson for Richmond. He did a good job at Davidson, and, he believes he will have more support and a higher long term ceiling at Richmond. It will take a few seasons but I believe he can get Richmond to the RPI top 100. 

George Mason has an RPI of 281.

Richmond has an RPI of 311.

The first goal is to get these programs to the top 200, and eventually closer to the top 100.

 

SLU 3 George Mason 0

4-2-3-1 throughout for SLU.  4-2-3-1 for George Mason.

Emily Gaebe started for SLU for the 2nd time this season, and the 2nd overall in her last 21 games. She won a corner, she had a header off of the cross bar and she had a nice pass to Larson for a goal all in the game’s first 5 minutes. She was sent in alone by Groark and was stopped and then sent a pass across the goal line. 

Later early in the 2nd she started the play for Sawyer’s goal down the left end line and sent a cross back post to a wide open Larson who was stopped but the loose ball rolled to Sawyer who finished. 

Then after her yellow card, Gaebe drew a foul and a free kick off of the far right side. A nice crisp back post service from Houck for Lawler for the 3rd goal. 

Gaebe then sat the rest of the game shortly after that.

……………

Gaebe’s yellow card was the result of her making contact with the George Mason keeper. Larson, who once again and had strong game, sent Gaebe in behind 2 defenders. The George Mason keeper, Ginny Frank dove at the 18 to secure the ball just before Gaebe got there. Instead of jumping or sidestepping, Gaebe’s left foot brushed Frank as she went by and stopped. It’s a 50/50 yellow cars call there. Maybe just call a foul as it didn’t cause injury. But the ref didn’t like it. 

Katie Shields got the first yellow card and did most of the talking. Chris Allen mostly laughed at the call. The ref didn’t like it and he gave him one too. 

Yellow card questions come up annually. Players and coaches are both subject to yellow card penalties. 5 yellows and you sit a game. 8 yellows combined regular season and post season and you sit a game.

…………...

All 22 healthy field players that traveled, played in the game.

Good luck to Liv Layton who is hanging up the cleats after four plus productive seasons at Colorado State and SLU.

Some off target aerial finishes, posts hit, inside the 18 loose balls not finished, and some so so set piece service at times for SLU. Final score isn’t a concern with the RPI. It does matter withe the other polls do and they expect lopsided results in these types of games. 

…………….

Not a good RPI night for SLU opponents, which drops SLU temporarily in RPI. Dayton had a home draw with Fordham. Creighton has been an opponent that was hoping to turn a corner this season but they have been going the wrong direction. So they will not be a 5th strong RPI non con-conference opponent. Nebraska had to settle for  a 2-2 draw with Rutgers despite 30 shots and a ton of corners. 2 more goals for Dale.

BYU and Xavier are the top 25 RPI opponents for now. Nebraska and Brown should be in it it they get results on the weekend. Enormous game for Brown.

……………….

VCU up next has been the biggest disappointment in the A10 this season.  After being able to play some good non-conference teams very close, VCU has struggled in league play their last 3 games. 

…………..

Opportunity for some SLU players to reunite with Ralph Richards. The former SLU assistant is the former club coach for Puricelli. Houck, Miller, Lawler, Groark, Gary, Larson, Schwartz, Jackson, Luebbert, Bockius. Ralph is now the commissioner of the ECNL, based in Richmond, VA 

…………………

[slufanskip]

Not necessarily to do with this game but is there any player in the country better at delivering a dangerous free kick from 40-50+ yards out than Katie Houck? 

[courtside]

1 minute ago, slufanskip said:

Not necessarily to do with this game but is there any player in the country better at delivering a dangerous free kick from 40-50+ yards out than Katie Houck? 

She’s done well with those, she has a goal again this year from it, hit some bars and posts too, along with several assists on them.

I thought one of her better ones was in last night’s game on the 3rd goal. It had nice pace, height, and shape, back post for Lawler’s header. 

Katie’s all around play often gets overlooked for SLU. She is a center back, who has played right back, out of need for SLU. And, she has played it well, the past few years for SLU.

I know you didn’t get to see it but she had such a great game at Nebraska. One of the things SLU is trying to do is replace the ability of Halverson to get some pace up the wing as well as with diagonal runs. She’s doing some of that too. And she first and foremost defends well.  

 

 

[courtside]

On 9/6/2023 at 2:28 PM, courtside said:

Brown Bears. First Ever Meeting.  3 time IVY League Champs. Top 25 program. Great job by Kia McNeil with their group. Lots of Boston College ties with the Brown staff. A regular top of the Ivy opponent for SLU would be great long term for the schedule. It will be a tough game. 
 

Ivy League teams can start their season later than other leagues and that’s been the case with Brown.

Brown likes to play a 3-5-2. They play an aggressive, direct, offensive style. 

Seelenfreund and Raphino provide a lot of 5’10 size and athleticism up top. Brown likes to get them in space 2v2 or 1v1. Rapinho especially is dangerous as a target overpowering defenders, in space getting behind defenders, in the air on set pieces. Total package player. She will also move from up top to a wing position at times when Brown is leading a game.

Maguire is solid on the wing and can also play some up top. And Okonye is an immediate impact Freshman on the wing. Skilled and fast, she is especially dangerous as an inverted wing in the middle of the field. 

Brown builds often wide using the width of the field with good spacing. Cannot turn it over the in the middle on your own third of the field. Have to force some long balls and get them caught up in that style. 

Good back 3. Shell will step forward up the middle. Cardoza is very solid at right back. Allen will take some free kicks and curl left footed corners. Speaking of corners, that’s where the offensive space exists against Brown. Need to use the width and length of the field, win some set piece corners

SLU will likely play its 4-2-3-1 and see what the game produces to decide in game adjustments. 4-1-3-2 would be an ultra aggressive move to start the game and play for an early lead. I think SLU will instead try to collapse the middle defensively and push transitions counters directly. We’ll see.

Local ties: Several Billikens played youth club soccer with Naomi Ferguson. Naomi has unfortunately had several knee surgeries on both knees. But she is available and would be in a limited minutes bench substitute role if she were to see action at all. Brown will play a ton ot players. But in tight games or losing, their bench thins out quite a bit to about 4 players with maybe half getting bigger minutes. 

A few big recent results for Brown has moved them to the RPI top 20 and challenging for their 4th straight Ivy League Title. Team effort different games. Two more big Brittany Raphino goals with power and pace on through balls splitting the defense, and over the top. Okonye and Allen, others have come up big too.

https://x.com/brownu_wsoccer/status/1708235844966809900?s=46&t=TsCCkuE48YmnkWfoKqc_Ng

………………

RPI headed into Sunday’s games:

BYU 9

Brown 20

Xavier 23

SLU 25

Nebraska (just outside the top 25 with a big opportunity)

 

 

[OkieBilliken]

Currently at Sports Backers Stadium about to hopefully watch us take out VCU.  Way off campus stadium nextdoor to a truly awful minor league stadium, which I think VCU uses as well.  Decent SLU contingent here.    Please fewer goalposts and crossbars , more goals!! 

[billikenfan05]

8 minutes ago, OkieBilliken said:

Currently at Sports Backers Stadium about to hopefully watch us take out VCU.  Way off campus stadium nextdoor to a truly awful minor league stadium, which I think VCU uses as well.  Decent SLU contingent here.    Please fewer goalposts and crossbars , more goals!! 

Sports Backers is such a terrible stadium name. 

[OkieBilliken]

Definitely not our best half.  VCU controlled most of the quality possession after about the 25 minute mark.   They came narrowly close to scoring three times, once striking the bottom of the crossbar.  Thankfully an early counter attack goal by Emily Gaebe is still holding up.  We have been a 2nd half team due to our depth.   Hopefully that will play out this afternoon.  

[Lord Elrond]

We win, 1-0, we got 6 points in the standings, which was the max we could get on this trip. At the Adam Wainwright retirement ceremony at Busch right now so I missed the game