SLU Women's Soccer Thread

[Lord Elrond]

First spring exhibition game is over, 2-1 over SIUE on the frozen tundra of Ralph Korte Stadium (seriously, it was cold out in Edwardsville this night, someone could have made a fortune selling hot chocolate). SLU had only 8 shots all game, SIUE had 5. Biggest lineup news was on the defensive side, Sophia Stram didn’t play, Katelyn Brinkman and Lyndsey Heckel were the center backs, with Heckel playing to the goalies right hand instead of her normal left. Clare Nicholas played the whole game at left wing back, while Katie Houck started on the right. Hannah Smith started the game as a forward, then went out and subbed in for Katie in the first half back at defense, and played most of the second half there. At midfield and forward it was a lot of various combinations and substitutions. Looked to be a lot of experimenting with who played where. First goal came on a great run up the sideline by Clare Nicholas who set up Jess Preusser for the goal (at least I thought it was her, some of the parents in the stands thought it was Abby Miller). Second goal was a penalty kick by Abby Miller. The goal SLU gave up was when a defender challenged a SIUE player for the ball in the box and the ball bounced the wrong way. 

[courtside]

9 hours ago, Lord Elrond said:

First spring exhibition game is over, 2-1 over SIUE on the frozen tundra of Ralph Korte Stadium (seriously, it was cold out in Edwardsville this night, someone could have made a fortune selling hot chocolate). SLU had only 8 shots all game, SIUE had 5. Biggest lineup news was on the defensive side, Sophia Stram didn’t play, Katelyn Brinkman and Lyndsey Heckel were the center backs, with Heckel playing to the goalies right hand instead of her normal left. Clare Nicholas played the whole game at left wing back, while Katie Houck started on the right. Hannah Smith started the game as a forward, then went out and subbed in for Katie in the first half back at defense, and played most of the second half there. At midfield and forward it was a lot of various combinations and substitutions. Looked to be a lot of experimenting with who played where. First goal came on a great run up the sideline by Clare Nicholas who set up Jess Preusser for the goal (at least I thought it was her, some of the parents in the stands thought it was Abby Miller). Second goal was a penalty kick by Abby Miller. The goal SLU gave up was when a defender challenged a SIUE player for the ball in the box and the ball bounced the wrong way. 

Stram, and a few others, are coming back from injury. (She’ll be fine for Fall) Smith, a forward and wing by trade, was playing out of need as well as trying something. Nicholas played exclusively at left back in 16 games this past season. She’ll play there often. 

SLU will have a lot of attacking depth next season. They have 2 outside backs arriving in the Fall, one of which is coming off of injury, and a third player may convert to there. They looked at a few in the portal. One in particular decided to stay at her previous school. SLU also has a center back coming in the 2023 class.

SLU might be adding a 2023 player as well. 

 

 

 

[Lord Elrond]

I thought Clare Nicolas played well at that position.  I also thought Hannah Smith played well, I didnt know she was that fast, she put on some good bursts of speed at times.

[billikenfan05]

10 hours ago, Lord Elrond said:

First spring exhibition game is over, 2-1 over SIUE on the frozen tundra of Ralph Korte Stadium (seriously, it was cold out in Edwardsville this night, someone could have made a fortune selling hot chocolate). SLU had only 8 shots all game, SIUE had 5. Biggest lineup news was on the defensive side, Sophia Stram didn’t play, Katelyn Brinkman and Lyndsey Heckel were the center backs, with Heckel playing to the goalies right hand instead of her normal left. Clare Nicholas played the whole game at left wing back, while Katie Houck started on the right. Hannah Smith started the game as a forward, then went out and subbed in for Katie in the first half back at defense, and played most of the second half there. At midfield and forward it was a lot of various combinations and substitutions. Looked to be a lot of experimenting with who played where. First goal came on a great run up the sideline by Clare Nicholas who set up Jess Preusser for the goal (at least I thought it was her, some of the parents in the stands thought it was Abby Miller). Second goal was a penalty kick by Abby Miller. The goal SLU gave up was when a defender challenged a SIUE player for the ball in the box and the ball bounced the wrong way. 

I know the Bills are dealing with a rash of injuries this spring.

[courtside]

47 minutes ago, Lord Elrond said:

I thought Clare Nicolas played well at that position.  I also thought Hannah Smith played well, I didnt know she was that fast, she put on some good bursts of speed at times.

Keep in mind that Heckel, and Stram, were goal scoring forwards at the club and high school level as well.

Clare essentially was the back up to Bri Halverson at left back last season. And the expectation is for her to take over that starting role with a year of player development, and adjusting to pace and physicality of the college game. She played wing and wing back on a high profile club team with a lot of good players. She was also a cross country runner. Improving positioning and angles and some small things and she’ll likely start there in the Fall. 

Smith was a Forward/Wing at the high school and club level. SLU when healthy will have a lot of depth up there. It’s an opportunity to help a need area, as well as to get her more playing time.

Autumn Jackson is expected to play right back behind Houck but she will be initially coming back from an injury. Eva Schreiber will play some at either outside back as well. And Sam DeLuca could possibly convert to there. I’ve seen her play four different attacking positions in the same game.

Some positions are little more set than others. The defensive midfield will have Paloucek and Bockius playing behind Lawler and Miller.. Lutz will add depth at center back. Brinkman moved there last Spring from the outside. Those are some pretty set positions.

Others have some fluctuation. When healthy. Simon will play central attacking midfield, or even up top if needed. She is less likely to play the wing. Groark will play wing and in the middle. Larson will play the wing. Kelly and Gaebe will play up top. Sometimes Kelly will play the wing. Sawyer has moved around but has played primarily wing and forward. Krueger has played up top but her more natural position is in the middle. 

Gary initially will play right wing. Schwartz will play left wing. Koch will play up top. Preusser will play in the middle. But they have the ability to move around a little bit if needed.

 

[slufanskip]

Hannah Smith seems like an ideal outside back to me. I thought this all last season. I believe it’s where her most upside lies

[courtside]

5 hours ago, slufanskip said:

Hannah Smith seems like an ideal outside back to me. I thought this all last season. I believe it’s where her most upside lies

And she’d be an outside back who is well versed at getting forward, creating and finishing. She has always been a player who is willing to defend as a forward and wing. She was more effective playing up top than on the wing, at a younger age. She finished well. 

Getting stronger has been a point of emphasis with her in the offseason. Hard worker. And that will be a difference maker for her. The pace of play has been less of an adjustment. Versatility can help with playing time too. 

 

 

 

[Lord Elrond]

Billikens 4, UCM 1. Emily Gaebe got 2 goals 5 minutes apart in the first period, Caroline Kelly and Hannah Sawyer got one each (Hannah Sawyer’s goal was a good shot from distance). Hannah Smith almost got a couple of goals playing on the offensive side. On the plus side Liz Stureman got into the game playing outside defensive back, she has had bad luck with injuries the past two years, but looked good back there. The Billikens controlled the game pretty well, the only negative was with 10 seconds left when Katelyn Brinkman went down hard on the play that UCM got their goal, and came up limping. Hopefully minor. Next up Saturday night vs Wash U at Hermann.

[Pistol]

It's fun to read that paragraph in the spring and realize how much talent is returning this fall. It's hard to imagine them doing anything but rolling through the league again this year. (I just hope they stay healthy.)

[courtside]

11 hours ago, Lord Elrond said:

Billikens 4, UCM 1. Emily Gaebe got 2 goals 5 minutes apart in the first period, Caroline Kelly and Hannah Sawyer got one each (Hannah Sawyer’s goal was a good shot from distance). Hannah Smith almost got a couple of goals playing on the offensive side. On the plus side Liz Stureman got into the game playing outside defensive back, she has had bad luck with injuries the past two years, but looked good back there. The Billikens controlled the game pretty well, the only negative was with 10 seconds left when Katelyn Brinkman went down hard on the play that UCM got their goal, and came up limping. Hopefully minor. Next up Saturday night vs Wash U at Hermann.

And it was roughly a similar game to last Spring. UCM is a D-2 power and Wash U is a D-3 power. It’s not an accident that these two games were spaces closer together, with the Power 5 games spaces out at least 1 week or more apart. 

Hopefully SLU will keep its game vs Illinois. Locals can get a look at Illinois this Sunday as they play Arkansas in St. Louis. The game will be played at SLSG as both schools have SLSG players and commits. Arkansas has been destroying teams this Spring.

………………

SLU is nearing a hire for its 2nd assistant position. And, they are looking at a possible late 2023 addition, and a possible transfer.

……………

Summer Ball:

More movement and realignment with Summer Ball Leagues and teams. SLSG switched to WPSL, and KCSG added a team.

Paloucek, Gaebe, Heckel, both Preusser sisters, are all committed to play for Lou Fusz this Summer.

Sibbing, Brinkman are committed to play for KCSG. 

Stureman will play for FC Pride in Indy, along side a high profile 2025 SLU recruiting target.

SLSG is finalizing its roster, but, it will include several familiar Billikens. 

 

 

 

[Lord Elrond]

New Assistant Coach is Jenna Bracken, from Loyola U - Maryland, was an All-American goalkeeper when she was in college at Kutztown University

[CenHudDude]

1 hour ago, Lord Elrond said:

New Assistant Coach is Jenna Bracken, from Loyola U - Maryland, was an All-American goalkeeper when she was in college at Kutztown University

Can she make shoe fly pie?

[Lord Elrond]

5-1 win over Wash U, on the frozen tundra of Herman Stadium (my a$$ is still frozen solid, isn’t it supposed to be getting warm?). Becca Wolterman got the start in goal… for Wash U. I guess it was that or no game due to roster issues, so why not. Not the weirdest thing I saw in terms of spring exhibition games today as Mizzou played volleyball against SLU with their setter being assistant coach Wendel Camaro. Again, I guess it’s that or no game, so play on. Hannah Sawyer got the first SLU goal, and had some other good opportunities. Caroline Kelly got goals 2, 4 and 5 for the hat trick (I didn’t see who got goal 3, and neither did anyone else who was sitting near me trying to avoid frostbite).  Overall the passing of the ball by SLU looked good. Katelyn Brinkman started and looked unaffected by the collision in the last game, she played well. Claire Nicholas and Liz Stureman also looked good. Taylor Krueger got some minutes on offense and looked good as well, and Hannah Smith got some nice looks on offense. There has been a game added to the schedule, Wednesday April 26th, 7pm at Herman against McKendree.

[Cowboy II]

-from SLU website...Robert R. Hermann Stadium, which is located on the campus of Saint Louis University, serves as the home of the Billikens’ men’s and women’s soccer programs.

[Box and Won]

On 4/22/2023 at 10:13 PM, Lord Elrond said:

assistant coach Wendel Camaro

Holy cow, that is an awesome name.

[billikenfan05]

Just now, Box and Won said:

Holy cow, that is an awesome name.

It's actually Wendel Camargo which is better IMO.

[courtside]

On 4/20/2023 at 10:03 AM, courtside said:

And it was roughly a similar game to last Spring. UCM is a D-2 power and Wash U is a D-3 power. It’s not an accident that these two games were spaces closer together, with the Power 5 games spaces out at least 1 week or more apart. 

Hopefully SLU will keep its game vs Illinois. Locals can get a look at Illinois this Sunday as they play Arkansas in St. Louis. The game will be played at SLSG as both schools have SLSG players and commits. Arkansas has been destroying teams this Spring.

………………

SLU is nearing a hire for its 2nd assistant position. And, they are looking at a possible late 2023 addition, and a possible transfer.

……………

Summer Ball:

More movement and realignment with Summer Ball Leagues and teams. SLSG switched to WPSL, and KCSG added a team.

Paloucek, Gaebe, Heckel, both Preusser sisters, are all committed to play for Lou Fusz this Summer.

Sibbing, Brinkman are committed to play for KCSG. 

Stureman will play for FC Pride in Indy, along side a high profile 2025 SLU recruiting target.

SLSG is finalizing its roster, but, it will include several familiar Billikens. 

 

 

 

SLU has a new 2023 commit from Ella Nelson, from Kansas City, MO. 

Ella is having a break out Spring as an attacking player at Park Hill High School. She plays on the wing and can play in the middle. She also has potential to move around elsewhere as needed.

In club ball, Ellla and her KCSG team, which includes 2023 SLU commit Maddie Sibbing, will be heading to the USYS National championships in Florida this Summer. 

SLU has seen Ella play club ball in the past. But they most recently saw her at the highly competitive, annual, Mo-Kan challenge, which is hosted by St. Thomas Aquinas in Kansas. The new head coach at St. Thomas Aquinas, is Ella and Maddie’s club coach from KCSG. 

SLU returned a few weeks later to take in another game and training, and, Ella was able to make it for a visit and a Spring game. 

https://twitter.com/ella_nelsonn/status/1650627991821778945?s=46&t=DYPaZKVMjxLU2tcCtMLkow

 

 

 

[Lord Elrond]

SLU over McKendree 3-0 under much more pleasant weather. Emily Puricelli played the first half in goal, Becca Wolterman played the second to split the clean sheet. McKendree opportunities were limited by the defense, which had a lot of changes throughout the game. On the offensive side neither Emily Gaebe nor Hannah Larson played. First goal was on second effort after Caroline Kelly’s shot was blocked, Jaimie DeBerardinis was in position and made the goal. Caroline Kelly got the other two (the McKendree fans thought the second should have been offsides, but I honestly didn’t think so). Hannah Sawyer played well and had some chances, but couldn’t convert them. Katie Houck and Katlyn Brinkman both got time at center back and outside back and looked good, as did Clare Nichols and Liz Stureman. While it didn’t affect the game, it was odd that SLU was in blue, and McKendree was in black kit. Before sunset it wasn’t a problem, but later in the game under the lights it wasn’t always easy to tell the teams apart. Oh well. Illinois coming up Saturday at 2pm, final spring game.

[Lord Elrond]

Final exhibition, 1-0 win over Illinois.  The Illini brought a large crowd, so either there are a lot of Illinois alumni in the area, or there’s nothing to do in Champaign-Urbana on a Saturday. I’m going with a little of both. The Illini almost scored first, but got called on goalkeeper interference when Emily Puricelli went for the rebound after the initial shot. Not one word of objection from the Illini coaching staff, players, or fans in the crowd.  The Billikens scored on a great play by Hannah Sawyer, she was fed the ball and used her speed to get free and take an initial shot that was blocked, but she cleaned up the rebound. Only real negative was Hannah Sawyer went down with a knee injury with about 20 minutes to go, and was carried off the field. At the end of the game she was on crutches with her knee wrapped, hopefully nothing serious. The injury bug was the big thing this exhibition season, at the end of the game I think the only players available who weren’t in the game were Liz Stureman, Taylor Krueger and Becca Wolterman. None of them have been reported as serious, so hopefully injuries go back to normal in the future. The Billikens now have an incoming class of 11, so I hope the new locker room is big enough.

[courtside]

SLU 1-0 over Illinois. 

Fair result. Chances were more for both than the score.

…………….

Power 5 opponent Spring Ball is a little different and more spirited and competitive than some other Spring Ball. So, it’s worth more of a look. 

Illinois gave Arkansas a good game last weekend, scored twice in the first 10 minutes before giving up 3 by half time. And that was the final.

………………

4-2-3-1 for SLU and 3-5-2 for Illinois. 

Puricelli

Brinkman, Heckel, Houck, Nicholas

Miller, Lawlerr

Sawyer, Paloucek, Preusser

Kelly

(Stureman OB, Smith RW, Krueger LW)

Many Power 5 schools play 3 in back, but more often it’s a 3-4-3. So it’s good practice to get a look at 3-5-2.

Out for SLU: Gaebe with hip/back, Larson with knee inflammation, Groark finishing up a knee sprain, Stram a few months removed from ankle surgery, Simon precaution after Fall hip surgery. 

SLU played 14 players.

Unlike some other schools, or even SLU Men, SLU Women don’t take early 2nd semester high school Senior commits. So 11 and perhaps 12 good new players will join this Summer. 

……………..

Outside of the first couple of minutes of the game, SLU was good in the first half. Gradual fatigue in the 2nd. SLU was able to play the corners as well as through Kelly up top in the middle. Opportunity was there for a few.

Illinois had 4 very high level chances in the game. 2 in each half. A few of these were in transition. These were switching fields and looking opposite plays.

Also, at times, SLU didn’t have ideal spacing with its back line and d mids. The gap from central attacking mid to there was an issue at times. There were also too many back passes at times.

When the bench is short, 2nd half fatigue, wings play deeper. And it isn’t a preferred style. And SLU didn’t at times have the numbers in the middle. But overall it was a very good effort and execution. Several players playing 90 that normally wouldn’t. 

SLU played 14 players. Stureman, Krueger, H Smith all played as subs. And only 1 played in the 2nd half as a sub. 

With Stram this Spring, it’s an opportunity for Houck to move to her natural position the middle, and she was arguably SLU’s best player today. And it’s more effective for Nicholas to have her play on the right side at outside back. 

Defense was mostly solid throughout. Lack of subs, 2nd half fatigue, not getting enough on the wing.

……………..

SLU had at least 4 high level first half chances alone, using Kelly as a target where she takes up multiple defenders, and getting Sawyer behind the defense. Kelly also with a few end line runs, final passes weren’t connected. 

Paloucek playing attacking mid (she can play there and d mid) and she had several pin point passes either through balls, in space or wide, including one that sent Sawyer in alone for her goal in the 41st minute. It was shortly after Kelly subbed out late first half and Sawyer moved up top from the wing. She was able to get behind the defense several times as was Kelly.

Familiar face and St. Louisan Sydney Stephens put one over the goal in the 13th minute in close. And she later scored that was called back after a rebound off of the crossbar. Foul away from her was a good call. 17th minute Nicholas fell on a far post diagonal ball and Puricelli made a great save cutting the angle. But those were the big U of I chances  in the first. 

Too much air under set piece balls from midfield and distance. 

Nice combination play in the middle for Illinois in 74th minute one touch from dmid to target forward to Woods in alone and she put it just wide as Emily cut the angle. 

Overall it was a pretty good effort considering 5 starters not playing and 11 newcomers not yet arrived. 3 subs. SLU had to hold a bit in the final 15 minutes. 

Puricelli, Brinkman, Heckel, Houck, Nicholas, Miller, Lawler. Preusser, Paloucek, Sawyer, Kelly. (Smith, Krueger, Stureman)

Sometimes the best chances are early or throughout the first half, especially in this type of game. 

Sawyer injury was full contact, flattened on 50/50 ball, as opposed to non-contact planting or in space. 

……………

Illinois will be playing 5 different common SLU opponents this Fall. (Loyola, Dayton, Xavier, Nebraska, Iowa)

Some of SLU’s Fall non-conference schedule highlights include games at the following: BYU, Utah State, Iowa, Nebraska, as well as home games with Creighton, Xavier. 

…………….

Some of SLU’s injured players are playing Summer Ball. Some are resting. Some will be held out for precaution. 

…………….

Back to recruiting for SLU with a few regional trips upcoming, as well as trips to Florida, San Diego, etc…3 Summer camps. 

 

[courtside]

3 hours ago, Lord Elrond said:

Final exhibition, 1-0 win over Illinois.  The Illini brought a large crowd, so either there are a lot of Illinois alumni in the area, or there’s nothing to do in Champaign-Urbana on a Saturday. I’m going with a little of both. The Illini almost scored first, but got called on goalkeeper interference when Emily Puricelli went for the rebound after the initial shot. Not one word of objection from the Illini coaching staff, players, or fans in the crowd.  The Billikens scored on a great play by Hannah Sawyer, she was fed the ball and used her speed to get free and take an initial shot that was blocked, but she cleaned up the rebound. Only real negative was Hannah Sawyer went down with a knee injury with about 20 minutes to go, and was carried off the field. At the end of the game she was on crutches with her knee wrapped, hopefully nothing serious. The injury bug was the big thing this exhibition season, at the end of the game I think the only players available who weren’t in the game were Liz Stureman, Taylor Krueger and Becca Wolterman. None of them have been reported as serious, so hopefully injuries go back to normal in the future. The Billikens now have an incoming class of 11, so I hope the new locker room is big enough.

Krueger and Stureman played in the first half. 

SLU is losing almost the same number of players that they are adding. (and they may be adding one more.)

 

 

[bauman]

I didn't think Jess Preusser was staying in the program-that she had graduated early and was leaving.

[Lord Elrond]

10 hours ago, bauman said:

I didn't think Jess Preusser was staying in the program-that she had graduated early and was leaving.

I thought so too, but she played all spring. Maybe she just graduated early, and will play as a grad student next year? She does have 2 more years of eligibility left due to the Covid year, and in the fall she could play on the Billikens with her sister Nina, who is part of the incoming freshman class. Maybe that affected her thinking?

[courtside]

On 4/29/2023 at 11:27 PM, bauman said:

I didn't think Jess Preusser was staying in the program-that she had graduated early and was leaving.

Roster turnover, injuries, other, changed that a little bit after November. 

Jess and Nina will be playing Summer Ball together this year when they are both available. Nina will also be playing in the USYS Midwest Regionals (St. Louis is hosting this year), and National Championships, (Orlando) after her high school season. 

New alignment in Summer Ball has several current and future Billikens playing in the same WPSL Central Division. 

Most recently, Nina, as well as SLU commits Maddie Sibbing, and Ashley Miller were named USYS national best 11 at the event in Mesa.

 

[slufanskip]

1 hour ago, courtside said:

Roster turnover, injuries, other, changed that a little bit after November. 

Jess and Nina will be playing Summer Ball together this year when they are both available. Nina will also be playing in the USYS Midwest Regionals (St. Louis is hosting this year), and National Championships, (Orlando) after her high school season. 

New alignment in Summer Ball has several current and future Billikens playing in the same WPSL Central Division. 

Most recently, Nina, as well as SLU commits Maddie Sibbing, and Ashley Miller were named USYS national best 11 at the event in Mesa.

 

Thanks for providing great updates and info