April 9, 2005

Bloomington, Ind. - Saint Louis University field hockey played in the Hoosier Classic Sevens today, featuring a 7v7 format, placing second overall. The Indiana 11v11 Play Day is set for tomorrow. Both events are held at the Mellencamp Pavilion on the Indiana campus with Ball State, Indiana, Louisville (two teams), Miami (Ohio), Ohio, Saint Louis and SMS as participants.

After a month of spring practices, the Billikens participated in the Hoosier Classic Sevens Tournament. SLU was in the bracket with Indiana, Louisville (Team 1), Miami (Ohio) and Ohio. The other bracket included Ball State, Iowa, Louisville (Team 2) and SMS.

In the Billikens' first match, junior Courtney Gasparovic scored the lone goal against Miami (Ohio) giving SLU a 1-0 win.

SLU faced host Indiana in the second match with the Hoosiers claiming a 2-0 win.

SLU rebounded with a 1-0 victory over the bracket's No. 1 seed Louisville. Junior Stephanie Bus scored on a penalty corner for the energized Billikens.

That win earned a bracket crossover for the Billikens pitting them against SMS. Sophomore Kristin Lueders saw her first action of the year after redshirting the fall season with a knee injury, and scored both goals in a 2-0 defeat of the Bears.

SLU advanced to the championship match with Indiana. Saint Louis did not execute as well in its fifth match of the day and fell 3-0 to Hoosiers, taking second place in the tournament.

"This is a proud day for Billiken field hockey," said assistant head coach Marcie Boyer. "We were anxious to play in this tournament after four weeks of spring practices. We were all pleased with today's play and that gave us a renewed level of confidence.

"Our veteran goalkeeper Julie Moeckel suffered a broken nose during the warm-ups forcing us to go with our freshman Amy Wasserman," continued Boyer. "Amy put on stellar performances in the net during all five matches.

"Carin Boone and Rita Murphy also showed some very strong play all day, as well. I'm proud of the entire team and look forward to tomorrow's action."

On Sun., Apr. 10, Saint Louis will face Indiana, Louisville, Miami (Ohio) and SMS at Indiana's 11v11 Play Day.