The SLU Billikens, on the strength of forward Kelly Waeckerle’s 37th minute goal, shut out the Missouri State Bears 1-0 Sunday afternoon at Plaster Stadium. The goal came on a shot from outside the box that just eluded the Bears keeper. It also came during a period when the Billikens had just begun to assert their influence on the game, following an extended stretch at the beginning of the game when the Bears pressed forward consistently.
It was as if there were two games yesterday, with the Bears consistently going forward during the first 30 minutes and maintaining a compact team attack, with the defenders getting forward of the midfield line and allowing them to maintain the pressure on SLU. That included earning three corner kicks to none for the Billikens in the first half. After the goal, and in the second half, despite regular pleas from the coaching staff to push forward and get the equalizer the Bears seem to take a conservative approach, more concerned about giving up another goal then in creating one.
The result was one good opportunity in the final minutes of the 2nd half, when the Bears earned a corner kick. Caroline Sweeney, who is developing into a fine target player, was able to rise above the defense and her header went just over the crossbar, settling on top of the net (that’s Sweeney at right, following the shot).
While not an unexpected result, since the Bears have only beaten the Billikens once in the time I’ve been here (my sixth season) this is also a team that has set it’s own bar very high. Coach Brewer has set an aggressive early season schedule, facing off against a pair NCAA Qualifiers in SEMO and SLU along with Nebraska, Kansas and Arkansas. I’d rather see an 0-3 loss at this point as they ladies show a willingness to attack as a team. It will enhance their ability to compete come October and the MVC games.
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