Nov. 3, 2006
Box Score
ST. LOUIS - In a rematch of last year's Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament final, second-seeded Saint Louis once again held off No. 3 Rhode Island for a 1-0 victory in semifinal action at Robert R. Hermann Stadium Friday. Billiken senior forward Dee Guempel (St. Louis, Mo./Incarnate Word) scored the lone goal of the contest as SLU (13-3-2) advanced to its second-straight tournament final. Saint Louis will face No. 5 Fordham, a 2-1 winner over top-seeded Charlotte in the first semifinal.
Guempel scored on the first shot of the game at the 23:45 mark. She chased down a through ball on the left side from freshman back Jacqui Smith and put the ball past Rhode Island keeper Amanda Thomas on the far post from 10 yards out to put the Billikens up early.
The Billiken defense held firm throughout most of the game as the Rams were unable to get a shot off until midway through the second half. Rhode Island broke through with its first shot when senior midfielder Lauren Forgione lofted a shot toward the goal from the right flank with about 22 minutes left in the game. SLU keeper Hannah Koesterer made the save but couldn't lock up the ball. Senior back Courtney Hulcer, the A-10 Defensive Player of the Year, managed to successfully defend the post as URI's Dara Larusdottir looked for a point blank shot.
"This was probably one of the better games we've had all year," Billiken head coach Tim Champion said. "We knew coming in that it was going to be a very physical game. They're (Rhode Island) very skilled up top, so we tried to work on shutting them down defensively. It worked out for us. It was a great game. We're just looking forward to Sunday."
Saint Louis out-shot the Rams 13-3 and dominated possession throughout the contest. URI hoped physically play would slow down the Billiken offense, committing 20 fouls to SLU's two.
The Billikens will vie for their second-consecutive A-10 Tournament title and NCAA Tournament bid on Sun., Nov. 3, at 1 p.m. at Hermann Stadium. The contest will be broadcast nationally on CSTV at 5 p.m. (CT) on Sunday.
