Sept. 6, 2002

Final Stats

ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis freshman midfielder Christie Cigno scored twice in the first half to send the Billikens past Army 2-1 tonight in the second game of the Toys for Tots Military Academies Women's Soccer Classic at Robert R. Hermann Stadium. The sizzling Billikens stretched their winning streak to three.

The Billikens started quickly by scoring in the second minute. Cigno connected on a one-touch from six yards off a feed from senior midfielder Erin Schwetye. After being taken down in Army's penalty area before she could get a shot off, Cigno smoked a penalty kick just inside the left post at 16:21. The two quick scores chased Army's starting keeper, Sara Johnson, to the bench.

Saint Louis chose to play conservatively in the second half, and Army enjoyed a territorial edge that paid off in the in 78th minute when the Cadets freshmen forwards combined to cut the lead in half. Delaney Brown's serve from the right flank found Jennifer Pascucci unmarked, and SLU keeper Meghan Burke could only get a hand on the 12-yard blast that deflected in under the cross bar.

Army kept up the steady pressure and forced Burke to make two game-saving stops down the stretch. Black Knights senior defender Lauren Rowe collected a cross and broke in at the far post, but Burke smothered her 12-yard drive in the 81st minute. Army's Kelly Schachtler bid for a tie in the 87th minute, but Burke dived to her right to block the senior defender's blistering 12-yard shot.

The Billikens out-shot Army 10-9, and the corner kicks were even at six. Burke made five saves for the Billikens, while Morgan Bennett made six stops in relief of starter Johnson.

On Sunday, Saint Louis (3-0-0) faces Navy at noon, and Army (1-1-1) takes on Air Force at 10 a.m. The Mids defeated Air Force 2-1 in the tournament's first game.