The 500th game in Saint Louis University women's soccer history takes place Thursday, Aug. 19, when the Billikens welcome Xavier to Robert R. Hermann Stadium for the 2021 season opener. As part of the 25th anniversary celebration of the beginning of SLU women's soccer in 1996, here is a look back at the Billikens' first game played on Aug. 31 of that year.
 
Before a crowd of 3,214 at St. Louis Soccer Park, Saint Louis defeated Central Missouri State 9-0 in the first game in Billiken women's soccer history.
 
Jennifer Benson, assisted by Katie Hornburg, scored the first goal in the 23rd minute and went on to register a hat trick, a feat that led to Conference USA Player of the Week accolades. Michelle Schaeffer tallied two goals, while Katie Stewart, Cheri Nahlik, Jennifer Tissi and Kelly Massman also found the back of the net.
 
A member of American women's soccer royalty was on hand to help launch the Billiken program. Julie Foudy, co-captain of the U.S. Women's National Team that had captured the first-ever women's soccer Olympic gold medal just four weeks earlier in Atlanta, spoke to the crowd. Foudy also met with the team the day before the game.
 
Saint Louis went on to post a 12-6-2 overall record and a 6-3 mark in Conference USA in that inaugural season. The Billikens produced an eight-game winning streak that stood as the school record for eight years.