ST. LOUIS - Despite facing an early deficit, the Billiken field hockey team bounced back to defeat Ball State 4-3. Lisa Smith scored the game-winning goal and Tori Westhead stopped the Ball State answer to seal the victory. Saint Louis rises to 2-8 on the year. The Billikens have now defeated the Cardinals in three consecutive contests.

Ball State scored the first three goals of the match in the first half, with its final goal coming at 31:13. Ten seconds later, the Billikens responded with their first goal, scored by SLU freshman Morgan Crowe at 31:23.

In the second half, Shannon Knobloch tallied her third goal of the season off a penalty corner in the 50th minute to bring the Bills within one. 

Kristin Collins equalized in the 60th minute for her second goal of the year. 

Neither team could score in either overtime period, forcing penalty strokes.

After five rounds of penalties, Saint Louis and Ball State remained tied. Smith then took her third attempt, beating the BSU keeper and tallying her first goal of the season. In the following Cardinal attempt, Westhead turned the try away, giving SLU its second win of the season.

Next up for the Billikens are meetings against Atlantic 10 newcomer Davidson (Oct. 4) and Mid-American Conference foe Kent State (Oct. 5) at Soccer Park.