Sept. 5, 2003

Final Stats

ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis University women's soccer remained undefeated with a 1-0 decision over Indiana at Robert R. Hermann Stadium tonight in the second game of the Toys for Tots/Military Academies Classic. Freshman Dee Guempel (St. Louis, Mo./Incarnate Word) netted her first career goal in the 77th minute to put the Bills on top in an evenly-matched affair. In the first game of the tournament, Air Force topped Army 1-0 behind a 25-yard loft from Raegen McDowell in the 62nd minute.

The Billikens and Hoosiers traded opportunities in the first half with SLU getting the better of play early and IU attacking late in the half. Indiana kept the pressure up throughout the second half, out-shooting the Billikens 5-3. The Hoosiers' Missy Vierling had a series of good opportunities in the middle of the period. In the 63rd minute she slipped in behind the Billiken defense on a through ball from Carrie DeFreece only to see the ball smothered by Billiken keeper Amanda Martin (Nashville, Tenn./Franklin) before Vierling could get a shot off. Eight minutes later, Vierling again generated some space, striking the ball with the inside of her left foot to force Martin into another dramatic save.

SLU finally broke through the swarming Hoosier defense in the 77th minute. Sophomore Kelly Ferguson (St. Louis, Mo./St. Joseph's) got the ball 30 yards out on the right side and lifted it over the defense into the penalty area. Guempel took it off the bounce and redirected with a header past IU keeper Shaunna Daugherty for the goal. Indiana continued with pressure after falling behind. Vierling found herself with space in the box in the game's 87th minute only to have her shot blocked by Billiken defender Anny Lucier (Dallas, Texas/Ursuline) and cleared away.

While the night's second match was evenly played, the first contest was dominated by Army. The Black Knights out-shot the Falcons 14-4, but Air Force got a solid effort from keeper J.J. Wolf, who came up with five saves on the night. The most dramatic coming in the 53rd minute when Army was awarded an indirect kick in the box. Leigh Kosco rifled a shot that appeared ticketed for the back of the net, but Wolf came up with the diving save. McDowell's winner came less than 10 minutes later on an unexpected arching shot from 25-yards out. Army keeper Morgan Bennett had the ball in her sights, and as the shot nicked the crossbar she punched it out, but not before the ball crossed the line for the score.

The Toys for Tots Tournament continues on Sun., Sept. 7, as Indiana takes on Army at 11 a.m., and SLU faces Air Force in what amounts to the title game at 1:30 p.m. Admission is free for those bringing a new, unwrapped toy to the stadium. Without a toy, admission is $6 for adults and $4 for youth at 3-18.