SLU went 19-3-2, won the A-10 regular season and tournament championships, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 last season. (Photo: Thomas Grove)

SLU WOMEN’S SOCCER GAME NOTES & INFORMATION
Game 1Kansas City (0-0) at #12 Saint Louis (0-0)
Date // TimeThursday, August 15, 2023 // 7 pm
LocationSt. Louis, Mo. (Robert R. Hermann Stadium)
WatchESPN+
Live StatsStatBroadcast

ST. LOUIS, MO — The 29th season of Saint Louis University women’s soccer begins Thursday night, with the Billikens hosting cross-state rival Kansas City in a non-conference game at Hermann Stadium.

Saint Louis will be looking to continue its current run of home dominance. In the last two seasons, the Billikens are 21-3-1 at Hermann Stadium, which includes an 8-0 win over UMKC at Hermann Stadium last season.

The Roos are a young team that competes in the Summit League. Last year, they went 3-7-8 and will have a team that features 12 freshmen and sophomores that all figure to play a bunch of minutes this season.

Saint Louis is coming off perhaps its best season ever. The Billikens went 19-3-2, won both the Atlantic 10 regular season and tournament championships, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.

The 2024 version of the Billikens was ranked No. 8 and No. 12 in the country by national publications, Top Drawer Soccer and the United Soccer Coaches.

Kickoff for Thursday night is set at 7 p.m.

Players to Watch: The Billikens bring back a number of standout players, including 2023 Atlantic 10 Conference Offensive Player of the Year Emily Gaebe, Defensive Player of the Year Lyndsey Heckel, and Goalkeeper of the Year Emily Puricelli.

Gaebe scored a school-record 16 goals and added nine assists last season for a school-record 41 points, and was selected as an NCAA All-American.

Other top SLU players include forwards Hannah Larson, Hannah Sawyer, midfielders Julia Simon and Izzy Luebbert, and defenders Sophia Stram and Elise Le, who transferred to Saint Louis following four seasons at Xavier.

Kansas City is led by junior forward Brianna Castleberry — a first-team All-Summit League selection last season — along with senior Sophia Limongl and 2023 Summit League Coach of the Year, Jess Smith.

Up Next: The Billikens will host a huge match next Thursday, when No. 3-ranked BYU will come for a visit to Hermann Stadium. The Cougars made the NCAA Final Four last year and were the preseason pick to win the Big 12.

2024 SLU BILLIKENS WOMEN’S SOCCER SCHEDULE

DateTimeAtOpponentLocation
August 15, 2024 (Thursday)7 pmHomeKansas CityHermann Stadium
August 22, 2024 (Thursday)7 pmHome#3 BYUHermann Stadium
August 25, 2024 (Sunday)7 pmAwayMissouriColumbia, MO
August 29, 2024 (Thursday)6 pmAwayMissouri StateSpringfield, MO
September 1, 2024 (Sunday)1 pmHome#4 Penn StateHermann Stadium
September 6, 2024 (Friday)5 pmAwayCreightonOmaha, Neb.
September 8, 2024 (Sunday)TBANeutralSIUECity Park / St. Louis, MO
September 12, 2024 (Thursday)6 pmAwayXavierCincinnati, OH
September 19, 2024 (Thursday)3 pmAwayMassachusettsAmherst, MA
September 22, 2024 (Sunday)1 pmHomeGeorge WashingtonHermann Stadium
September 26, 2024 (Thursday)7 pmHomeLoyola ChicagoHermann Stadium
October 3, 2024 (Thursday)7 pmHomeSaint Joseph’sHermann Stadium
October 6, 2024 (Sunday)NoonAwayDuquesnePittsburgh, PA
October 13, 2024 (Sunday)1 pmHomeVCUHermann Stadium
October 17, 2024 (Thursday)3:30 pmAwayRichmondRichmond, VA
October 20, 2024 (Sunday)NoonAwayLa SallePhiladelphia, PA
October 24, 2024 (Thursday)7 pmHomeGeorge MasonHermann Stadium
October 27, 2024 (Sunday)NoonAwayDaytonDayton, OH