SLU senior Caroline Kelly leads the Billikens with five goals in eight games this season. (Photo: Thomas Grove)
SLU Women’s Soccer – Gameday Info
Game No. 3 – #25 Saint Louis (5-2-1) at Loyola Chicago (4-4)
Date/Time – September 14, 2023 – 7 pm
Location – Loyola Soccer Park — Chicago, IL
Broadcast – ESPN+
Live Stats – Loyola Live Stats
Paige Dale
Staff Writer
CHICAGO, IL — Coming off its best win of the season, a thrilling 3-2 upset of then-No. 24-ranked Nebraska last Sunday, the Saint Louis University women’s soccer team will return to action Thursday night with its Atlantic 10 Conference opener, on the road against Loyola Chicago.
The now-No. 25-ranked Billikens have been on a nice roll since the month changed to September. Saint Louis is 2-0-1 in the month, with an overall 5-2-1 record on the season.
And they’ve done it with terrific offense so far this season. SLU has scored 25 goals in its eight games, which is tied for 11th most in the country. The club’s 3.12 goals per game average is tied for 16th best in the country.
Loyola has also been playing well lately. The Ramblers are coming off a win over cross-town rival DePaul last Sunday, and have won three of their last four and four of their last six.
SLU, which has won five straight A-10 championships, was the preseason favorite to win the league title again. Loyola was picked to finish sixth this season.
The Billikens and Ramblers have played twice before, with SLU having won both matches. The last contest was last October, at Hermann Stadium, which Saint Louis won 3-0.
Players to Watch: SLU is led by senior midfielder Caroline Kelly. She has five goals this season, which leads the entire conference. Seven other Billiken players have at least two goals, including 2022 all-conference performers Emily Gaebe and Sophia Stram.
Junior Hannah Larson leads Saint Louis with five assists, and goalkeeper Emily Puricelli has 41 saves this season.
Loyola is led by junior midfielder Taylor Harris, who is second in the A-10 with four goals this year. Freshman teammate Zoe Hevey has two goals and three assists this season.
Up Next: The Billikens will cap a three-game road trip with the match at Loyola and will finally be back home for a match this Sunday against La Salle. That contest at Hermann Stadium will kick off at 1 p.m., and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
2023 SLU Billikens Women’s Upcoming Soccer Schedule
| Date | Time | At | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 14 (Thursday) | 7 pm | Away | Loyola Chicago | Chicago, Ill. |
| September 17 (Sunday) | 1 pm | Home | La Salle | Hermann Stadium |
| September 24 (Sunday) | 1 pm | Home | Dayton | Hermann Stadium |
| September 28 (Thursday) | 6 pm | Away | George Mason | Fairfax, Va. |
| October 1 (Sunday) | Noon | Away | VCU | Richmond, Va. |
| October 8 (Sunday) | 1 pm | Home | Richmond | Hermann Stadium |
| October 12 (Thursday) | 7 pm | Home | Massachusetts | Hermann Stadium |
| October 15 (Sunday) | Noon | Away | Rhode Island | Kingston, R.I. |
| October 19 (Thursday) | 7 pm | Home | Duquesne | Hermann Stadium |
| October 22 (Sunday) | 11:30 am | Away | Saint Joseph’s | Philadelphia, Pa. |