THIS WEEK – Following a three-game home stand, Saint Louis women's soccer (3-4) takes to the road for two contests this weekend. The Billikens are in Chicago Friday, Sept. 19, for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff against Illinois-Chicago (1-6). Then it's on to Kalamazoo, Mich., for a meeting with Western Michigan (5-1) Sunday, Sept. 21, at 1 p.m. (CT).
FOLLOWING THE ACTION – Live statistics are available for both games this weekend. The links are located on the home page of Saint Louis' official athletics website, www.SLUBillikens.com, in the schedule section just below the lead stories, as well as on the women's soccer schedule page.
BILLIKEN LEADERS – Ten different Saint Louis players have recorded at least one point, and six of those players have collected at least one goal. Kirsten Clemens leads the way with nine points (4G, 1A), followed by Tori Marshall (3G) and Lindsay Elking (2G, 2A) with six points apiece. Goalkeeper Hanna Benben carries a 1.43 goals against average and has made 30 saves. The Billikens have out-shot their opponents 120-83 overall and 61-41 in shots on goal.
BILLIKENS EDGED IN LONE GAME LAST WEEK – SLU dropped a 1-0 decision vs. Murray State Sunday, Sept. 14, at Robert R. Hermann Stadium. Hanna Benben made four saves for the Billikens.
SLU IN THE A-10 STATISTICS – In the most recent Atlantic 10 Conference statistics report, the Billikens lead the league in shots per game (17.14) and corner kicks per game (7.00); are third in goals per game (1.71) and points per game (5.00); and rank fourth in assists per game (1.57). Kirsten Clemens is tied for third in game-winning goals (two), tied for fourth in goals per game (0.57) and shots per game (3.29), and tied for sixth in points per game (1.29). Danielle Tolmais is sixth in shots per game (3.14), while Tori Marshall is tied for 10th in goals per game (0.43).
SCOUTING ILLINOIS-CHICAGO – UIC, a member of the Horizon League, is in its first season of intercollegiate women's soccer competition. The Flames registered their first program win Aug. 31, a 2-0 victory over IUPUI. Sophomore forward Jasmin Carrera has scored a team-high three goals, while freshman goalkeeper Kelly Fritz carries a 2.80 goals against average.
SCOUTING WESTERN MICHIGAN – The Broncos, who play at Illinois State Friday night before hosting the Billikens, have continued the momentum they enjoyed at the end of last season. After finishing fourth in the Mid-American Conference regular-season standings, Western Michigan won the MAC postseason tournament and reached the NCAA Tournament second round. Similar to SLU, the Broncos feature a balanced attack; 11 players have scored at least one point, and eight have tallied at least one goal. Freshman forward Emma Kahn (3G, 1A) and senior forward Diana Dedvukaj (2G, 3A) lead with seven points apiece. Senior midfielder Rachel Chaney and sophomore midfielder Liz Abro have two goals each, while sophomore forward Olivia Vollmers has three assists. The Broncos have allowed just three goals, with redshirt freshman Stephanie Herber (0.00 GAA) and junior Kaitlyn Collin (0.90 GAA) sharing goalkeeping duties. Saint Louis leads the series 2-0, with both games taking place at Hermann Stadium. In the 2013 season opener, the Billikens posted a 3-2 win behind Cristina Rodriguez (goal, assist), Livi Logan-Wood (goal) and Jamei Borges (two assists).
ABOUT THE BILLIKENS – Saint Louis returned 17 players, including nine starters, from last year's 6-10-3 team that tied for second place (5-2-1) in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The returning starters are senior defenders Maddy Bush (2G) and Mary Wright; senior forward Lindsay Elking (1A); junior goalkeeper Hanna Benben (1.54 GAA, four shutouts); junior defender Michelle Schwarz; sophomore forwards Cristina Rodriguez (2G, 1A, A-10 All-Rookie) and Kirsten Clemens (1G, 1A); sophomore midfielder Tori Marshall (1A); and sophomore defender Kacey Bright. Also returning are senior defenders Andrea Strebler and Julia Merlo; junior forward Livi Logan-Wood (5G, 1A, team-high 11 points); junior midfielders Jamie Borges (1G, 2A) and Katelyn Hammarlund; junior defender Colleen Cole; sophomore midfielder Shaney Sakamoto; and sophomore defender Alyssa Mastroianni.
TEN NEWCOMERS ON BOARD – The Billikens welcome a sophomore transfer and nine freshmen to the 2014 team. Midfielder Danielle Tolmais joins the squad after registering four assists at the University of Memphis a year ago. The freshman class consists of forwards Jordan Catalano, Madi Mann and Danielle Manning; midfielders Lauren Merlo, Molly Ream and Lauren Tondl; defender Allison Birke; and goalkeepers Mary Niehaus and Tristin Stuteville.
BILLIKENS PICKED FOURTH IN A-10 PRESEASON POLL; WRIGHT HONORED – Saint Louis was tabbed for a fourth-place finish in the 2014 Atlantic 10 Conference standings in the A-10 head coaches' preseason poll. Senior defender Mary Wright was selected to the preseason All-Conference team.
HEAD COACH KATIE SHIELDS – Katie Shields, the third head coach in Saint Louis women's soccer history, is in her second season guiding the Billikens and her third campaign on the Billiken staff. Shields was a SLU assistant coach in 2012. Prior to her arrival at Saint Louis, Shields spent two seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Northwestern. She served three years in the same capacities at her alma mater, Harvard, where she helped guide the Crimson to Ivy League titles and NCAA Championship berths in 2008 and 2009. Shields began her coaching career with a one-year stint as an assistant at Cal Irvine. In addition to her collegiate coaching experience, she served as assistant goalkeeping coach for the Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer in 2009; head coach of the Boston Bolts F.C. girls' youth clubs for two years; and camp director/senior staff member of Soccerplus Goalkeeper School from 2006-11. She also has assisted with the U.S. Under-18 Women's National Team. Shields is a 2006 graduate of Harvard with a bachelor's degree in government. She is joined on the sideline by assistant coaches Scott Gloden and Vince Gentile and senior graduate manager Jessie Jarrett.
UP NEXT – The Billikens welcome Omaha to Hermann Stadium Saturday, Sept. 27, at 4 p.m. for Homecoming. The SLU men's team squares off against Central Arkansas at 7:30 p.m.
