Nov. 5, 2006

ST. LOUIS, MO - Second-seeded Saint Louis claimed its second-consecutive Atlantic 10 women's soccer Tournament title with a 2-1 triumph over No. 5 seed Fordham this afternoon at Robert R. Hermann Stadium. A-10 Rookie of the Year Julia Bradenberg netted the winner as the Billikens claimed the league's automatic NCAA Tournament bid.

With Saint Louis dominating play in the first half, the Bills had a 4-0 advantage on both shots and corners before Fordham scored on its first shot of the afternoon. After the Rams first corner was cleared by the Billiken defense, the ball rolled out to Rams midfielder Alexis Ribadeneyra, who lofted a 40-yard shot over SLU keeper Hannah Koesterer.

Continuing the persistent pressure that resulted in SLU's 13-1 shot advantage and 9-1 edge in corners in the opening session, Bills freshman forward Maggie Farrell knotted the match in the 36th minute with her first career goal. After a quick one-two between Billiken seniors Dee Guempel and Maureen Hughes, Guempel ripped a 20-yard blast off the cross bar. Farrell settled the rebound and tucked a six- yard shot inside the left post. Rams keeper Elisabeth Roald was busy in the opening half with 11 saves.

Bradenberg put the Bills on top in the 53d minute. SLU junior midfielder Mary Green popped the ball to junior forward Cassi Winchell in the right side of the Rams' penalty area, where Winchell flicked it to Bradenberg in front of the Fordham goal. With a Rams' defender on her back, Bradenberg moved laterally to the left post to beat the Rams keeper from 10 yards.

Saint Louis effectively kept the Rams at bay throughout the remainder of the game, but Fordham's Nikki Peckham drilled a 30-yard shot just wide of the left post with 50 seconds remaining. The Bills out-shot the Rams 19-4 and finished with a 12-1 edge in corners. The Billikens' Hughes was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

SLU's 12 corner kicks broke the A-10 Tournament record of 10 previously set by George Washington against Xavier on Nov. 7, 1997. Roald's 13 saves topped the record of 12 set by St. Bonaventure's Karen Cunningham against Dayton on Nov. 5, 1999, and matched by Rhode Island's Ria Carroll against Dayton on Nov. 7, 2004. In recording the win, SLU's Koesterer did not register a save, a first in an A-10 Tournament game.

The Billikens will learn their next opponent when the NCAA announces its tournament bracket at 3pm (EST) on Monday, Nov. 6.

2006 All-Championship Team
G - Elisabeth Roald, Fordham
F - Julia Bradenberg, Saint Louis
F - Kristin Hextall, La Salle
F - Deb Nelson, Rhode Island
M - Mandi Back, Dayton
M - Lindsey Beam Ozimek, Charlotte
M - Maureen Hughes, Saint Louis
D - Courtney Hulcer, Saint Louis
D - Catherine Huvane, Fordham
D - Alexis Ribadeneyra, Fordham
D - Jacqui Smith, Saint Louis

Most Outstanding Player - Maureen Hughes, Saint Louis