The SLU Billikens can claim their fifth regular season league title with a win and a little help, Thursday night against Duquesne. (Photo: Thomas Grove)

SLU WOMEN’S SOCCER GAME NOTES & INFORMATION
Game No. 17Duquesne (6-6-4, 3-1-4) at #22 Saint Louis University (12-2-2, 7-0-1)
Date // TimeThursday, October 19, 2023 // 7 p.m.
LocationSt. Louis, Mo. (Robert R. Hermann Stadium)
WatchESPN+
Live StatsStatBroadcast

Paige Dale
Staff Writer

ST. LOUIS, MO — The Saint Louis University women’s soccer team finds itself on the verge of clinching another Atlantic 10 Conference regular season championship — the program’s fifth in the last six years — Thursday night, when it hosts Duquesne University in a match at Hermann Stadium.

Saint Louis (12-2-2, 7-0-1) is in first place with 22 points in the league standings going into tonight. La Salle and Dayton are right behind with 21 points.

A win by the Billikens would give them 25 points, which coupled with a loss or tie by La Salle, who plays Loyola Chicago tonight, would give Saint Louis enough points to claim the championship. Dayton doesn’t play tonight and only has one regular season game remaining (Sunday at Rhode Island), the outcome of which would only matter if SLU loses both of its remaining games.

Kick off for Thursday night’s matchup with Duquesne is set for 7 p.m.

Winning the league championship would also give the Billikens home field advantage throughout the Atlantic 10 Tournament. Saint Louis has already clinched at least one home game in that event, which begins with the tournament quarterfinals next Friday, October 27.

For tonight’s contest, SLU will bring in a five-game winning streak, an 11-game unbeaten streak (9-0-2), and the nation’s No. 22 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches most recent poll. Duquesne (6-6-4, 3-1-4) is coming off its first conference loss, last Sunday at La Salle.

The Billikens lead the all-time series against the Dukes, 10-4, which includes a 6-1 record at Hermann Stadium. Last year on the road, SLU defeated Duquesne 1-0 on a late goal by Abbie Miller.

Players to Watch: SLU junior Emily Gaebe, the College Soccer News National Player of the Week, scored three goals and added two assists last week to earn that honor. For the season, Gaebe leads the Billikens in both categories with nine goals and six assists.

The nine goals is also tops in the entire A-10, while the six assists is tied for second most in the league.

SLU senior Caroline Kelly is second in the A-10 with eight goals, while junior Hannah Sawyer is third on the team and tied for fourth in the league with six goals.

Saint Louis ranks among the nation’s top 25 teams in 10 statistical categories, and among the top 10 in six of those. The Billikens are first in goal differential (+40), fourth in points per game (9.12), fifth in goals per game (3.12), eighth in assists per game (2.88), ninth in total shots per game (19.00) and 10th in save percentage (.877).

Duquesne had shut out its opponent or allowed only one goal in seven straight outings prior to Sunday’s 4-1 loss to La Salle.
The Dukes’ offense is led by sophomore forwards Maya Matesa and Brianna Moore. Both have a team-best five goals this season. Goalkeeper Maddy Neundorfer has seven shutouts this season, which is second most in the A-10.

Up Next: The Billikens conclude the regular season Sunday, October 22, with a trip to Philadelphia to take on Saint Joseph’s. Kickoff for that contest is slated for 12:30 p.m., and the game will be streamed live on ESPN+.

2023 SLU Billikens Women’s Upcoming Soccer Schedule

DateTimeAtOpponentLocation
October 19 (Thursday)7 pmHomeDuquesneHermann Stadium
October 22 (Sunday)11:30 amAwaySaint Joseph’sPhiladelphia, Pa.
A-10 Tournament Quarterfinals
October 27 (Friday)		TBAHomeTBAHermann Stadium
A-10 Tournament Semifinals
November 1 (Wednesday)		TBATBATBATBA
A-10 Tournament Finals
November 1 (Sunday)		TBATBATBATBA