SPORTS

 

ST. LOUIS — Hailey Braemer’s 40-yard blast gave Davidson a first-half lead, but a late Saint Louis goal proved to be the difference in a 2-1 Billikens’ win in Saturday’s Atlantic 10 Women’s Soccer Championship game.

Saint Louis (15-1) completed its third straight unbeaten season in the A-10 and secured the league’s NCAA postseason berth, while Davidson closed the season 7-4-3 after again making significant strides forward.

“We played some very good soccer against a great opponent, created some opportunities and dealt with their pressure reasonably well,” said Davidson coach Adam Denton. “It came down to the wire with a great strike.”

In the tournament and final for the first time, the Wildcats were vying for their fifth conference title overall and first since 2009. They were seeking the program’s second NCAA bid in a year they were picked 11th in the preseason coaches poll.

“All the credit in the world to Davidson,” said SLU coach Katie Shields. “They made it hard for us. They played their hearts out. They absolutely deserved to be in this game.”

Braemer’s goal came in the 25th minute, and her right-footed rocket from deep found the far side of the net. The Wildcats held the 1-0 lead at the intermission, marking the first time the Billikens trailed at the break all season.

Saint Louis, however, equalized with an Abbie Miller penalty kick in the 57th minute.

The game-winner came with 1:25 left when Hannah Friedrich, the A-10 Offensive Player of the Year, found the net off a left-footed shot in traffic.

Braemer, Alexandra Menard, Katherine Smith and Mary Grace Bunch were named to the all-championship team.

“We’re excited about what we did this year,” said Denton.