Aug. 25, 2006

Box Score

DURHAM, N.C. - No. 27 Saint Louis dropped a 3-1 decision at No. 12 Duke tonight to open the 2006 season. The Blue Devils out-shot the Billikens just 8-6 but netted a pair of goals late in the second half after senior Maureen Hughes had tied things up in the 57th minute.

After controlling possession early in the first half, Saint Louis defended a series of set plays midway through the period, allowing just one shot through a series of two corners and a pair of deadballs just outside the box. The Blue Devils broke through in the 34th minute when Rebecca Moros pushed through the midfield and sent KayAnne Gummersall on a long run up the right side. Junior Mary Green tracked Gummersall to the end line, but the Blue Devil freshman got a shot off and put just enough shape to tuck it inside the far post for a 1-0 lead.

Saint Louis' answer came 10 minutes into the second half after senior Tara Gresco worked through the left side before sending Dee Guempel ahead on the left side. Guempel sent a serve on the ground across the face of the goal. Duke keeper Allison Lipsher was covering the near post on the service only to see the ball skid across to Hughes. The senior midfielder/forward settled the ball quickly before tucking it into the right side.

SLU kept the pressure up after knotting the score, but the Blue Devils executed a quick give-and-go at the top of the box to forge ahead 2-1 in the 70th minute. Christie McDonald and Elisabeth Redmond combined to work through the Billiken defense, and Redmond sent her shot past SLU keeper Hannah Koesterer's left side.

Hulcer had the Bills' best chance for an equalizer on a 30-yard deadball in the 83rd minute only to see Lipsher collect the curling shot. The Blue Devils capped the scoring in the 88th minute when Moros took a pass from Redmond at the top left corner of the box and netted it inside the far post.

The Billikens (0-1-0) return to action on Tue., Aug. 29, at 7 p.m. against Missouri State at Robert R. Hermann Stadium.