Five Things to Know: SIU at Purdue Fort Wayne, Ohio

Friday, September 6

Fort Wayne, IN

6 PM CT

Southern Illinois University

Purdue Fort Wayne

09/05/2019 | 9:35:00 | Women's Soccer

By: Brandon Lindholm, SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. – Hoping to build off a solid start of the season, the Southern Illinois University Salukis women's soccer team (3-2 overall) will cross the border of Indiana to take on their first road opponent in the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons (1-1-1) on Friday at 6 p.m., followed by a match against the Ohio University Bobcats (4-0) on Sunday at 12 p.m.

1. LAST TIME OUT: The Salukis wrapped up their five-game home stand with a 1-0 victory against Belmont University on Friday, followed by a 2-0 loss against the IUPUI Jaguars on Sunday to fall to 3-2 on the young season.

2. SCOUTING PURDUE FORT WAYNE & OHIO: The Mastodons are led in scoring by a trio of players, Hannah Kroger, Morgan Reitano and Eliese LaCourt, all with one goal apiece. Kayla Wisniewski and Tahra Brodbine share the team lead in assists with one each. As a team, the Mastodons have out-shot their opponents 53-32, with 27 of those shots coming on goal. In goal, Lorah Pund has played every minute, collecting 11 saves with just under a goal allowed per game (.93) in 290 minutes of action.

The Bobcats are off to an undefeated start thanks in part of freshman Olivia Darrow and senior Alivia Milesky, who share the team lead in goals with two apiece. Sophomore Abby Townsend leads the squad in assists with four, followed by Milesky with two. As a team, the Bobcats have fired off 60 shots with 34 coming on goal (.567). In goal, sophomore Sam Wexell and junior Sydney Malham have split time with the pair combining for 11 saves and owning identical 2-0 records.

3. SALUKI STATS: Freshman Emma Spotak leads the team in goals with two on the season, while Kathryn Creedon, Madison Bennion and Liz Brechtel all trail at one apiece. Andrea Rodriguez, Maya Warrior, Paityn Schneider and Creedon all share the team lead in assists with one each. In goal, Dariana Mihalache leads the goalkeepers with her 2-0 record, including 18 saves in 270 minutes of action. As a team, the Salukis are outshooting their opponents 66-53, with 28 of those shots coming on goal (.424).

4. NATIONAL RANKINGS: As of Monday, SIU ranks in the top-100 of five statistical categories among NCAA DI programs. The Salukis are 44^thin corner kicks per game (6.6), tied for 75^thin save percentage (.833) and are tied for 82^ndin saves per game (5). Individually, Bennion, Brechtel and Spotakare all tied for 55^thin the country with one game-winning goal apiece, while Mihalache's 18 saves on the season places her 66^thnationally.

5. FOLLOW ALONG: Purdue Fort Wayne will provide live stats of Friday's match, which can be viewed by clicking here, while the live video can be found here. Ohio University will provide live stats of Sunday's match, which can be viewed by clicking here, while the live video can be be found here. Admission is free for both of this weekend's contests.