Current UMSL head coach Bobby Lessentine (far left) celebrates 30 years of women's soccer at UMSL with with members of the 1981 team.

On Jan. 9, 1980, former University of Missouri–St. Louis Director of Athletics Chuck Smith and Women’s Coordinator Judy Berres announced that UMSL would replace intercollegiate field hockey with a varsity women’s soccer program. A year later under the direction of head coach Ken Hudson, the program played its first game in 1981, defeating Southeast Missouri State (Cape Girardeau), 6-0.

Friday night (Oct. 14) during halftime of the men’s soccer game against Kentucky Wesleyan College (Owensboro), 30 years of women’s soccer at UMSL was celebrated with Berres, Hudson and several members of that inaugural 1981 team in attendance.

UMSL’s second full-time women’s soccer coach, Beth Goetz, also returned to be honored for her contribution to the program, which owns an all-time record of 336-221-7 and has produced 15 all-Americans and eight UMSL Sports Hall of Famers.