Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Southeast Missouri State (EX)
Late Goal Lifts SEMO Over Salukis, 2-1
08/17/2019 | 10:26:00 | Women's Soccer
CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Southern Illinois University Salukis fell to the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks 2-1 in the program's first-ever home exhibition match at the Lew Hartzog Track and Field Complex.
SEMO scored the first goal of the match in the 21st minute to give the Redhawks an early advantage. Freshman forward Liz Brechtel tied things up for the Salukis after scoring her first goal of the preseason in the game's 56th minute, making the crowd of nearly 2,150 erupt in cheers for SIU's first-ever goal at Lew Hartzog.
The tie lasted 23 minutes before SEMO scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal in the match's 79th minute.
Despite the loss, the Salukis were able to play all 27 student-athletes in front of the hometown crowd. Freshmen Maddy Alaluf, Dariana Mihalache, Sofia Howe and Nicole Raventos all split time at goalkeeper, as the group combined for 11 saves on 26 Redhawk shots.
Head Coach Grant Williams postgame comments transcript.
On the atmosphere of the first-ever home exhibition.
The first thing I want to do is say thank you to everybody in the southern Illinois soccer community. We could not have asked for a better start. Our kids were buzzing from the first moment and it really made their first experience. I hope the fans first experience was also special. I told the players that you can only make a first impression once. We just wanted to make sure that anyone who came out tonight recognized that we play the game the right way and work hard. I hope that there's a little patience in their ability to give us time to continue to practice and grow. We played everybody. We're still moving pieces around as we find the best fit. I have no complaints about the result. Our kids did great and I think people will continue to follow us and come back next time out.
On how his players got focused.
I told them that if they didn't have butterflies than they're not alive. At every level, if you aren't excited and have some of that going on in the inside, you aren't engaged, electrified and excited about the opportunity. I honestly think that they handled the moment. A lot can be said about this being the first home match, but I thought they handled it much better in group. They handled it like pros.
On the team's opponents getting better throughout the preseason.
In particular with UIC and SEMO, you can tell they have experience. They've played the game. That was really obvious against UIC and particularly the first half tonight. Our team, for as many freshmen as we have, recognize how hard you have to work and realize that the other team's not going to do you any favors.
On if he's satisfied with what he learned about the team this preseason.
Absolutely. As I tell the players, I can tell them what gameday is like, I can tell them what competing is like, I can tell them what the speed of the game is, but until you actually do it, you have no idea. I think that we are going to be very well prepared and we'll put out a starting-11 that will impose a style and get us some results on Friday night.
Up Next: The Salukis will prepare for their home-opener against the University of Illinois-Springfield Prairie Stars on Friday, Aug. 23 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available to purchase at SIUSalukis.com or by calling 1-877-SALUKIS.
