Sept. 18, 2005

Box Score

ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis women's soccer claimed the Toys for Tots Tournament title with a 3-0 win over Air Force this afternoon at Robert R. Hermann Stadium. A trio of Billikens (6-2-0, 1-0-0 A-10) accounted for all three goals and assists, led by Tournament MVP Maureen Hughes. Fellow juniors Courtney Hulcer and Dee Guempel each also added a goal and an assist to the dominant Billiken effort.

Air Force was under pressure immediately in the game and needed a team save and a little good fortune to keep the Bills off the board early. SLU's relentless attack finally paid off in the 25th minute as Billiken sweeper Lauren Olson turned defense into offense with a long ball out of the back that found Hughes just outside the top of the box. With a pair of defenders closing in, Hughes battled physical play to slip the ball to Hulcer running on an angle from the right side. The junior All-America candidate touched the ball past a defender and sent a shot into the left side netting for her first goal of the season.

The Billikens had two more dangerous opportunities in the waning moments of the first half, but the Falcons held on for the 1-0 deficit at the break. The insurance strike did not come until the 82nd minute from Guempel. As Air Force tried to clear out of their defensive third, senior Lachlyne Eastman settled a clearance and found Guempel just outside the left corner of the box. The junior midfielder left a defender sprawling in her wake sent a line drive into the right side of the goal from 12 yards out.

Air Force's best opportunity came with just 4:20 remaining in the game after a Billiken defender sent a clearance off Amanda Cleland. The Falcons' senior back settled the deflection at the top of the box and sent a laser at the goal, but keeper Amanda Martin was on line for the save.

Hughes tacked on the final goal in the 88th minute, finishing a solid combination off a deadball. Hulcer struck the free kick from 40 yards out on the right side of the field and found Guempel at the top of the box. Guempel's flick header dropped at the feet of Hughes as she attacked the goal, and the junior beat Air Force keeper Erin Wallace on the right side.

Along with Hughes as the MVP, Eastman, Hulcer and Tara Gresco were named to the All-Tournament team.

Saint Louis travels to Santa Clara, next week for a 10 p.m. (CT) game against the nationally-ranked Broncos on Fri., Sept. 23.