Oct. 4, 2009

Box Score

ST. LOUIS - Senior Kristen Sapienza (St. Louis, Mo./St. Joseph's) scored her first goal of the season in the 84th minute Sunday to lift Saint Louis to a 1-0 Atlantic 10 Conference triumph over Rhode Island at Robert R. Hermann Stadium.

Sapienza's goal, assisted by sophomore Andrea Barklage (Lake St. Louis, Mo./Incarnate Word), was her second career marker. Her first also was a game-winner in a 1-0 decision against George Washington in 2007.

The Billikens' second consecutive win, also their fifth shutout in six games, evened their overall record at 5-5-2 and lifted them to 2-1-1 in conference play. Rhode Island fell to 3-7-1, 1-3-0.

Sapienza received Barklage's feed and launched a straight-on shot from 25 yards that got over Rhode Island keeper Tara Murphy at the 83:14 mark. The Rams registered two of their game total of three shots on goal in the final six minutes, but Billiken sophomore netminder Hannah Perry (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North) was up to the task and preserved the Bills' seventh shutout of the season.

Saint Louis outshot Rhode Island just 10-9 in the second half, but a 9-1 first-half margin helped put the final tally at 19-10 in favor of the Billikens. Sophomore Ashley Brazill (St. Charles, Mo./Incarnate Word) followed her career-high five-shot game in Friday's win over Massachusetts with a game-high four shots, two of which were on goal.

With the shutout, the Billikens continued to establish themselves as one of the top defensive teams in program history. Their seven shutouts tie the 2000 and 2002 SLU squads for the second most through 12 games, trailing only the 2003 and 2004 teams which each recorded eight. In addition, the seven goals allowed through 12 contests tie the 2009 Bills with the 2003 team for second all time. The 2004 Billikens yielded six goals in their first 12 outings.

Saint Louis continues A-10 play on the road Friday, Oct. 9, traveling to Xavier for a 4 p.m. (CT) kickoff.