PHILADELPHIA - Junior Emily Banashefski gave the La Salle women's soccer team an early lead against No. 12 Saint Louis at McCarthy Stadium on Thursday night. The Billikens came back to equalize before halftime, and used three second-half goals to earn a 4-1 win over the Explorers in the Atlantic 10 opener for both schools.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• SLU had the first opportunity of the match, as Caroline Kelly hit the crossbar on her attempt in the ninth minute of action. The rebound chance by Katie Houck went high and out for a goal kick.
• Less than five minutes later, the Explorers opened the scoring when sophomore Lauren Costello sent a free kick towards the SLU goal.
• Junior Kelli McGroarty flicked a header to her teammate Emily Banashefski, who stayed onsides and deposited a shot into the lower-left corner of net to give La Salle a 1-0 lead.
• The advantage held up until the 29th minute, when the Billikens' Hannah Larson converted a chance to knot the score at 1-1.
• The match went into intermission tied, with SLU holding a 12-2 edge in shots.
• Saint Louis took control of the match in the second 45 minutes, outshooting the Explorers 11-0 and scoring goals in the 68th, 77th, and 87th minutes of play.
• Michela Auguadro had six saves in goal for La Salle, while Emily Puricelli had one stop for the Billikens.

UP NEXT

• The Explorers hit the road for a match on Sunday, Sept. 18 against Loyola Chicago. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.