Oct. 31, 2008

Box Score

AMHERST, Mass. - Junior Ashley Hayes (St. Louis/Incarnate Word) and freshman Andrea Barklage (Lake St. Louis/Incarnate Word) scored a goal apiece Friday afternoon to power Saint Louis to a 2-0 victory over Massachusetts, clinching a spot for the Billikens in next week's Atlantic 10 Conference Championship at Robert R. Hermann Stadium.

In addition to assuring themselves one of six conference tournament berths, the Billikens (10-4-4, 6-3-1) reached double digits in victories for a seventh consecutive season and 11th time in the 13-year history of the program. The shutout was SLU's 10th of the campaign, marking the sixth time the Bills have reached double figures in that category. All six of Saint Louis' A-10 wins have been shutouts.

The Billikens took control early and launched several shots at the UMass defense, with Hayes finding the range at the 21:19 mark. She took a pass from junior Julia Bradenberg (St. Louis/Ursuline) on the left side and fired a shot that skimmed the ground and tucked into the far corner. The goal was Hayes' second of the year, both game-winners, while Bradenberg chalked up her second assist.

The Billikens finished the first half with an 8-2 edge in shots, then pelted the UMass defense in the second stanza to the tune of a 14-2 advantage. Barklage put the game away at 71:53, securing the ball following a scramble in front of the goal and beating Minutewomen goalkeeper Lauren Luckey for her second goal of the year. Freshman Jasmina Suljic (St. Louis/Oakville) assisted on the goal to pick up her first career point.

Hayes tallied a career-high five shots and Barklage matched that total to lead the Billikens to a 22-4 margin. Bradenberg had four shots and junior Kelly Waeckerle (St. Louis/Parkway West) added three. SLU also registered a 7-2 edge in corner kicks. Freshman goalkeeper Hannah Perry (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North) made two saves, while Luckey kept her team in the game by making eight stops.

The Billikens conclude the regular season Sunday, traveling to Rhode Island for a noon (CT) kickoff. First-round pairings for the A-10 Championship, scheduled for Nov. 6-9, will be announced later that day.