The Billiken women began the new season last week, with a loss at BYU and a win at Utah State. (Photo: Thomas Grove)

SLU WOMEN’S SOCCER GAME NOTES & INFORMATION
Game 3Creighton Bluejays (0-1-1) at #15/17 SLU Billikens (1-1-0)
Date // TimeThursday, August 24, 2023 // 6 p.m.
LocationSt. Louis, MO // Hermann Stadium
WatchESPN+

Paige Dale
Staff Writer

ST. LOUIS, MO — The Saint Louis University women’s soccer team will kick off its eight-game home schedule, Thursday night, when it hosts Creighton at Hermann Stadium.

The Billikens, who were a consensus Top 25 selection in all three national ranking polls, will come into tonight’s action ranked No. 15 by College Soccer News, No. 17 by Top Drawer Soccer, and as a team receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll, after beginning the season with a loss at No. 10 BYU and a win over unranked Utah State last week.

Saint Louis and Creighton have played two times previously, with the Billikens having won both meetings. The last matchup came in 2001, when SLU won a game that went to overtime, 2-1.

The Billikens, who were picked as the favorites to win the Atlantic 10 Conference this year, have an astounding 62-7-6 (.867) record in their last 75 home games and had won 10 in a row at Hermann Stadium, before losing last year’s finale, which was an NCAA Tournament second round game against Memphis.

The Bluejays were picked to finish fifth in the Big East this season, after tying for fourth in the final standings last year. Creighton opened this year with two home matches — a season-opening tie against Nebraska and a 3-1 loss to Missouri.

Players to Watch: The Billikens got goals from four different players in its first two games. Seniors Caroline Kelly and Sophia Stram scored, as did juniors Emily Gaebe and Hannah Sawyer. Teammate and fellow junior Hannah Larson had two assists in the opener at BYU.

Kelly’s goal was the 20th of career and placed her 10th on the SLU all-time goal-scoring list

Saint Louis also features one of the top goalkeepers in the country in senior Emily Puricelli. She posted her 49th career shutout in the win at Utah State.

Creighton is led by senior midfielder Lara Kazandjian. She was a first-time All-Big East selection last season, and already has an assist this season.

Teammates Maddie Radke and Hannah Luke have goals for the Bluejays this season.

Up Next: Thursday’s match is the first of three straight at home for Saint Louis. After Creighton, the Billikens will host Kansas City on Sunday (1 p.m.) and No. 17-ranked Xavier next Thursday, August 31.

Creighton is doing the opposite. The Bluejays are in the midst of a three-game road trip and will play game two on Sunday at Kansas State, before concluding its road trip with a game at Drake on September 3.

2023 SLU Billikens Women’s Upcoming Soccer Schedule

DateTimeAtOpponentLocation
August 24 (Thursday)5 pmHomeCreightonHermann Stadium
August 27 (Sunday)1 pmHomeKansas CityHermann Stadium
August 31 (Thursday)7 pmHomeXavierHermann Stadium
September 2 (Saturday)5 pmNeutralSIUESt. Louis, Mo. / CITYPARK
September 6 (Wednesday)6 pmAwayBrownProvidence, R.I.
September 10 (Sunday)1:05 pmAwayNebraskaLincoln, Neb.
September 14 (Thursday)7 pmAwayLoyola ChicagoChicago, Ill.
September 17 (Sunday)1 pmHomeLa SalleHermann Stadium
September 24 (Sunday)1 pmHomeDaytonHermann Stadium
September 28 (Thursday)6 pmAwayGeorge MasonFairfax, Va.
October 1 (Sunday)NoonAwayVCURichmond, Va.
October 8 (Sunday)1 pmHomeRichmondHermann Stadium
October 12 (Thursday)7 pmHomeMassachusettsHermann Stadium
October 15 (Sunday)NoonAwayRhode IslandKingston, R.I.
October 19 (Thursday)7 pmHomeDuquesneHermann Stadium
October 22 (Sunday)11:30 amAwaySaint Joseph’sPhiladelphia, Pa.