Women's Soccer | September 16, 2023

ST. LOUIS — The La Salle women's soccer team will start Atlantic 10 Conference play on Sunday afternoon when it faces defending champion Saint Louis at Hermann Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET.

The game will be televised on ESPN+. In addition, Explorers fans can follow the team on X @LaSalle_WSOC and Instagram @lasalle_wsoc.

SCOUTING THE EXPLORERS

• The Explorers enter A-10 play after going 2-4-2 in their eight non-conference matches this season. The Explorers topped UAlbany (1-0 on Aug. 20) and Seton Hall (3-1 on Aug. 31) while forging ties with NJIT (1-1 on Sept. 7) and Temple (2-2 on Sept. 10). In their most recent game against Temple, Justyce Hollenbach scored her first two career goals, including one in the 86^th minute to help the Explorers earn the tie.
• The Explorers have their sights set on improving upon their finish from last year in the A-10 after going 3-6-1 in conference play. The Explorers will try to win their first A-10 opener since 2018, when they posted a 1-0 victory over Davidson.
• The Explorers look to win their third meeting against the Billikens in their last 11 meetings. The Explorers' last victory against Saint Louis was a 2-1 win on Oct. 19, 2014 at Saint Louis. The Billikens have won the last four meetings against La Salle, including a 4-1 victory last season at McCarthy Stadium.
• Elizabeth Estrada paces the Explorers in points (five) and assists (three). The sophomore is tied for fifth in the Atlantic 10 Conference in assists and ranks 10^th in the conference in shots on goal with 10.
• Sophomore Richsya Walker and junior Haley Gschrey lead La Salle in goals with two apiece. Walker leads the team with 18 shots, while Gschrey ranks second with 13 shots.
• Sophomore Gabby Neal and junior Michela Auguadro have split goalkeeping duties this season. Neal is 2-1 in net in three starts and has registered seven saves. Auguadro leads the team in saves with 30 in six games of action.
• La Salle is led by Paul Royal, who is in his 21^st season at the helm. Royal has a 201-157-39 record for the Explorers. 

SCOUTING THE BILLIKENS

• The Billikens are 6-2-1 after beginning A-10 action on Thursday with a 1-0 win over Loyola Chicago on the road.
•  The Billikens opened the season ranked in all three preseason national polls. They were No. 21 by United Soccer Coaches, No. 13 by College Soccer News and No. 17 by Top Drawer Soccer.
• Last season, the Billikens went a perfect 10-0 in A-10 play on their way to capturing their seventh A-10 championship and earning a berth into the NCAA Tournament.
• The Billikens are led by three returning United Soccer Coaches All-Americans in defender Lyndsey Heckel (first team), midfielder Abbie Miller (second team) and goalkeeper Emily Puricelli (third team).
• Saint Louis is coached by Katie Shields, who is in her 11^th season as a head coach with the Billikens. Shields has a career record of 140-58-15.