Sept. 19, 2010

Final Stats

Fenton, Mo. - Central Michigan's Ellen Riley scored on a penalty corner on the last play of the game as the Chippewas dealt Saint Louis a heartbreaking loss 2-1 Sunday in field hockey action at the Anheuser-Busch Center.

Central Michigan put two shots on goal in the first 10 minutes of action, but SLU goalie Alex LaBarge came up with two saves to keep CMU off the scoreboard. Natalie Gamez had the first scoring chance for the Billikens, but her shot went wide. Alex Gersbach finally tallied the first goal of the game when she scored after a scramble in front of the Billiken cage. The Billikens answered with a goal in the final minute of the first half. Natalie Gamez pushed the ball up the left side to Nicole Kent. Kent put a ball towards the CMU goal, and Lauryn Smith tucked the ball in with 27 seconds left to play to tie the contest at 1-1.

The Billikens opened the second half with a strong offensive push and enjoyed their best sustained pressure with four straight shots. However, CMU keeper Anastasia Netto kept the Billikens off the scoreboard. The Chippewas took 11 shots but the Billiken defense held strong. The game appeared to be slated for overtime but CMU earned a penalty corner in the waning moments of the game. Brooke Sihota began the sequence, and Amanda Von Leer took a shot which Riley tipped into the SLU cage to end the game.

The Billikens dip to 0-8, while the Chippewas improve to 2-4. SLU returns to action tomorrow as it hosts No. 19 Albany Monday at 2 p.m.