When Simon Becher transferred to Saint Louis University after playing his freshman season at Holy Cross, he knew nothing was going to be handed to him.
The 6-foot-1, 187-pound forward from Brooklyn, Conn., joined a Billikens program that has posted a winning record every season since 2018 and plays in the perennially competitive Atlantic 10. But after a strong freshman year at Holy Cross in 2018, in which he led the Crusaders in goals (seven) and points (17) and earned Third Team All-Patriot League, Saint Louis presented precisely the challenge that Becher, a former standout for Connecticut-based Oakwood SC Academy, needed.
"Going from Academy to college was a big step, and I think that was an important year for me," said Becher, who attended Woodstock Academy for high school. "I think I grew a lot that year, and at the end of the season, after having a good freshman year, I kind of sat down with the (Holy Cross) staff and said, 'I think I need to be in an environment that’s going to produce a lot of pros and is going to push me every day.' I didn’t go into Saint Louis as one of the top guys, I had to work to earn that. That’s something that every day, on and off the field, being around guys that have pro aspirations was a big reason for making that choice. I think Holy Cross was an important step for my development."
