Friday, August 30
Carbondale, Ill.
6:30 PM
Southern Illinois University
2-1-0, 0-0-0
1
vs
0
Belmont
0-2-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Belmont
0
0
0
Southern Ill.
0
1
1
Salukis Shutout Bruins
08/30/2019 | 9:30:00 | Women's Soccer
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Led behind freshman Liz Brechtel's first career goal, the Southern Illinois University women's soccer team (3-1 overall) shutout the Belmont University Bruins (0-3) 1-0 on Friday night.
The two programs played a scoreless first half, with the Bruins owning the lead in total shots at six to the Salukis' four. Brechtel's goal came in the match's 61st minute after a Saluki corner kick that resulted in senior Andrea Rodriquez knocking the ball over to Brechtel, who hammered it home to give the Salukis the lead.
The Salukis played lockdown defense the rest of the way, as the 1-0 lead turned into the program's third win of their inaugural season.
Freshman goalkeeper Dariana Mihalache earned her second victory of the season after playing the entirety of Friday's game, recording six saves in the shutout.
Head coach Grant Williams' postgame comments
On Dariana Mihalache's performance in goal tonight:
As I've said previously, goalkeeping was a big concern when I got the job because it was so late, and I was concerned we wouldn't be able to find even one goalkeeper that was capable of being our starter. Not only in year one, but beyond. We were so fortunate to get four in this year's group. Dariana has just established herself as the one in that group that was most prepared to be in goal for us. I think it's obvious to anyone who has seen us play why she is so attractive to us as a goalkeeping prospect.
On what he saw on Liz Brechtel's first career goal:
It was one of those scrappy plays. I challenged the players at halftime because I felt that we just really didn't compete as hard as we needed to in order to get results. I thought Liz, in particular, was just trying to make things happen, and it's no surprise to me that she's the one that ended up on the back of the goal. Once you get in those close spaces on set pieces, sometimes it's going to be a well-scripted play where you manufacture something and the other half it's just grit, determination and being at the right place at the right time.
On the defensive intensity tonight:
Our center backs have been our most consistent performers, although we've had many people contribute. I think they've all had the right mentality. They, starting with Sam DeJulio, have had the right mentality and Sam just knows that she's willing to sacrifice her body, that she need to compete and challenge and that she's not just going to give an attacking player an inch.
On starting the season 3-1:
I think it gives our kids confidence in their ability to get results. I think it gives them confidence in the staff to trust what we're trying to say and with what we're trying to do to put the team in the best position to get results. I think it just makes them hungrier for the next opportunity to prove themselves and it keeps people playing hard and remaining engaged. Winning makes everything better, and it certainly makes them sharper in practice and their desire to be at their best. I'm glad that the season is where it's at.
On the benefit to the players of having five-straight games at home:
It definitely holds a benefit to our players, especially with so many freshmen. We're in our second week of school, we're trying to figure out how they're going to time manage their day, wash their clothes, eat and along with all of the things a student-athlete has to do. It wasn't intentional to have five-straight, but it definitely helps to sleep in your own bed. It has helped all of us prepare.
Up Next: The Salukis return to home for their final game of the five-game homestead against IUPUI (1-1-1) on Sunday at 1 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at SIUSalukis.com or by calling 1-877-SALUKIS.
The two programs played a scoreless first half, with the Bruins owning the lead in total shots at six to the Salukis' four. Brechtel's goal came in the match's 61st minute after a Saluki corner kick that resulted in senior Andrea Rodriquez knocking the ball over to Brechtel, who hammered it home to give the Salukis the lead.
The Salukis played lockdown defense the rest of the way, as the 1-0 lead turned into the program's third win of their inaugural season.
Freshman goalkeeper Dariana Mihalache earned her second victory of the season after playing the entirety of Friday's game, recording six saves in the shutout.
Head coach Grant Williams' postgame comments
On Dariana Mihalache's performance in goal tonight:
As I've said previously, goalkeeping was a big concern when I got the job because it was so late, and I was concerned we wouldn't be able to find even one goalkeeper that was capable of being our starter. Not only in year one, but beyond. We were so fortunate to get four in this year's group. Dariana has just established herself as the one in that group that was most prepared to be in goal for us. I think it's obvious to anyone who has seen us play why she is so attractive to us as a goalkeeping prospect.
On what he saw on Liz Brechtel's first career goal:
It was one of those scrappy plays. I challenged the players at halftime because I felt that we just really didn't compete as hard as we needed to in order to get results. I thought Liz, in particular, was just trying to make things happen, and it's no surprise to me that she's the one that ended up on the back of the goal. Once you get in those close spaces on set pieces, sometimes it's going to be a well-scripted play where you manufacture something and the other half it's just grit, determination and being at the right place at the right time.
On the defensive intensity tonight:
Our center backs have been our most consistent performers, although we've had many people contribute. I think they've all had the right mentality. They, starting with Sam DeJulio, have had the right mentality and Sam just knows that she's willing to sacrifice her body, that she need to compete and challenge and that she's not just going to give an attacking player an inch.
On starting the season 3-1:
I think it gives our kids confidence in their ability to get results. I think it gives them confidence in the staff to trust what we're trying to say and with what we're trying to do to put the team in the best position to get results. I think it just makes them hungrier for the next opportunity to prove themselves and it keeps people playing hard and remaining engaged. Winning makes everything better, and it certainly makes them sharper in practice and their desire to be at their best. I'm glad that the season is where it's at.
On the benefit to the players of having five-straight games at home:
It definitely holds a benefit to our players, especially with so many freshmen. We're in our second week of school, we're trying to figure out how they're going to time manage their day, wash their clothes, eat and along with all of the things a student-athlete has to do. It wasn't intentional to have five-straight, but it definitely helps to sleep in your own bed. It has helped all of us prepare.
Up Next: The Salukis return to home for their final game of the five-game homestead against IUPUI (1-1-1) on Sunday at 1 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at SIUSalukis.com or by calling 1-877-SALUKIS.
Team Stats
BEL
SIU
Goals
0
1
Shots
11
6
Shots on Goal
6
2
Saves
1
6
Corners
6
5
Fouls
6
8
Scoring Plays
Liz Brechtel (1)
Assisted By: Andrea Rodriguez
GOAL by SIU Brechtel, Liz Assist by Rodriguez, Andrea.
61:18
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerM
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