Day one of the Marriott Conference USA Women's Soccer Tournament is in the books after top-seeded Saint Louis defeated DePaul 3-1 in the final match of round one. The Billikens will play Louisville in the second semi-final match up on Thursday with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. at Saint Louis University's Robert R. Hermann Stadium. In the first semi-final set for 5 p.m., second-seeded UAB will face third-seeded Marqutte.

Wet and cold conditions did not derail the offensive output on day one of the tournament as the eight teams combined to a tie an opening round record for goals scored with 15. For only the second time in the 10-year history of the league, there were no shutouts recorded in the quarterfinals.

Game One
(2) UAB 4, (7) Memphis 1
Midfielder Jenny Rynders scored all three of the UAB goals in the second half as the second-seeded Blazers defeated seventh-seeded Memphis 4-1 in the opening match of the tournament. Rynders’ hat trick ties a C-USA Tournament record for most goals in a match set by Kate Gordon (Nov. 2, 2000 vs. Charlotte).

“We are certainly happy to be moving on to the next round,” UAB Head Coach Paul Harbin said following his team’s round one victory. “I thought we made it difficult on ourselves in the first half. The second half we settled down and started playing our style.”

It took just four minutes of the match for the league’s Offensive Player of the Year to have an impact as UAB forward Tara Kidwell found the back of the net on her first shot of the tournament. Kidwell one-timed a cross from midfielder Liz Bosscher to put UAB up 1-0. The assist was Bosscher’s first of three in the match to break a tournament record.

The Blazers went up 2-0 in the 48th minute when Rynders headed in a corner kick by Bosscher into the side of the net. Rynders scored her second goal of the match just over seven minutes later when she drilled a pass from Jennifer Williams past a diving Natalie Haerens in goal for Memphis.

Memphis tried to stage a late rally when freshman Carla Scanniello slipped a shot by UAB keeper Katie Forbis to cut the lead to 3-1. Rynders used her head once again to tally her third goal of the match in the 87th minute to cap off the scoring.

The Blazers held a 16-5 advantage on shots and forced Haerens to make six saves. Forbes made three saves.

Game Two
(3) Marquette 2, (6) Charlotte 1
Marquette scored two second-half goals to hold on for a 2-1 victory over Charlotte in game two of the tournament. The Golden Eagles are now 7-1 all-time against Charlotte in C-USA Tournament matches and advanced to the semifinals for the eighth time in school history.

Forward Kristie Matola tallied the first goal of the match putting Marquette ahead 1-0 in the 71st minute. Matola slipped in a rebound off an initial shot by Ashley George. Midfielder Michelle Pitzi was also credited with an assist on the play.

Midfielder Meghan Connelly then added the Golden Eagles' second goal just over 10 minutes later to put Marquette up two. Connelly's goal proved to be crucial as Charlotte answered with a quick goal to cut its deficit in half.

"It took a while to find a ryhthm under these conditions," Marquette Head Coach Markus Roeders said. "Once we went to the second half, I think we found that and we created more chances. (Being ahead) 2-0 obviously makes it tough on them, but give Charlotte credit for getting one back. You get into these tournaments, what you do is survive and move on."

Charlotte forward Leslie Canales lofted a shot just under the crossbar and over the outstretched hands of Marquette keeper Katie Bissen to put the 49ers on the board in the 83rd minute.

Game Three
(5) Louisville 2, (4) East Carolina 1
Louisville wrapped up a 2-1 victory over East Carolina to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 1995. Forward Jamie Craft netted the game-winner in the 77th minute following an equalizer by East Carolina's Sarah Stolz in the 57th minute.

"East Carolina took it to us in the second half," Louisville Head Coach Karen Ferguson said. "I think in the first half, we had the better of the play. It's just typical conference play, the season is on the line and they came at us. Jamie is a special player and she scores goals. She has proven that all season. It's no different again. She's a big-time player."

Craft gave Louisville a 1-0 lead at the break with her first goal of the match in the 32nd minute. Midfielder Lauren Podvin assisted on both of Craft's goals. Laura Martin also had an assist on Craft's game-winning goal.

Craft tied UAB forward Tara Kidwell, who scored in her match vs. Memphis, for the league lead in goals as both All C-USA first teamers have 14 for the season.

Game Four
(1) Saint Louis 3, (8) DePaul 1
Top-seed and tournament host Saint Louis defended its home field on Wednesday defeating DePaul 3-1 in the final game of round one. The Billikens had three different goal scorers as Cassi Winchell and Dee Guempel scored in the first half, while Maureen Hughes added an insurance goal on a penalty kick in the second half.

"We played very well," Saint Louis Head Coach Tim Champion said. "I am happy with the how we played. It's always good to get the first round game out the way. We are scoring goals from different sources like we have all year."

Winchell put Saint Louis on top in the third minute when she drew DePaul keeper Lindsey Deason out of her box and finished a pass by Courtney Hulcer. Deason then put DePaul on the board when she blasted a free kick from 40 yards out just under the cross bar in the 19th minute. The goal was the Blue Demon goalie's second tally of the season and fourth of her career.

Hulcer then recorded her second assist of the match when she found midfielder Dee Guempel unmarked in the box to give Saint Louis a 2-1 advantage in the 34th minute.

Hughes tallied the first goal of the second half when she converted a penalty kick after DePaul was called for a hand ball inside the penalty box.

The win gives the Billikens 14 on the season, which ties their single-season record set last year.

The final will be aired on the Conference USA Television Network. Don Russell will call the play-by-play, and Bill McDermott provides the color commentary. Conference USA's official website, www.ConferenceUSA.com, will provide updates, box scores, recaps and photos.

A complete schedule of the 2004 Conference USA Women's Soccer Tournament follows.

2004 CONFERENCE USA TOURNAMENT MATCH SCHEDULE

Wednesday, November 3
Match 1 - (2) UAB 4 vs. (7) Memphis 1
Match 2 - (3) Marquette 2 vs.(6) Charlotte 1
Match 3 - (5) Louisville 2 vs.(4) East Carolina 1
Match 4 - (1) Saint Louis 3 vs. (8) DePaul 1

Thursday, November 4 (Semifinals)
(2) UAB vs. (3) Marquette
5 p.m.
(5) Louisville vs. (1) Saint Louis
7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 6 (Finals)
Semifinal Winners
1 p.m. (C-USA Television Network)

All times are Central.
All Games played at Robert R. Hermann Stadium, St. Louis, Mo.