Salukis set to Host Indiana State on Breast Cancer Awareness Night

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Salukis (0-14-1) mark their final match of the 2021 season, where the Maroon and White will host the Sycamores of Indiana State (5-7-3) at the Lew Hartzog Track and Field Complex, Thursday afternoon at 4pm. The October match marks the program's inaugural Breast Cancer Awareness game, fans are encouraged to wear pink and ribbons in support of research and survivors of the disease, in-game live stats are provided here.

A Look at Last Game: Reaching the back of the net for the first time since September 25 at Illinois State, junior midfielder Christy Murauskis drew in the lone SIU goal in the Salukis' 1-3 fall to Northern Iowa Saturday afternoon, where the Salukis ranked in five shots and three saves.

So far in 2021: Southern Illinois opened up scoring in the 2-3 loss to Kansas City in their home opener, bringing in four shots-on-goal to SIU and fell 0-4 to Lipscomb the following weekend in another heavy-midfield match with keeper Ary Lougher earning her first collegiate start. Starting conference, the Dawgs held Missouri State scoreless in the second half, but dropped 0-3 on a Friday night in Carbondale. Hailey Blanchard scored the third goal of the Salukis' season, while SIU fell 1-3 to Murray State in their final non-conference game of 2021 on Sunday, September 19. Heading back into conference, the Salukis scored for the second consecutive game at Illinois State, which resulted in a 1-2 fall. Coming back home to Lew Hartzog Complex, the Salukis showed growth in a 0-1 battle with Drake, which resulted in four saves and SIU outshooting the Bulldogs, 11-7. SIU continued with two losses in a mid-week with Evansville (0-1) and Loyola (0-5).

Scouting Indiana State: Along with Loyola, the Trees sought six Valley wins in the delayed 2020-21 season, posting an overall 6-4 record. In 10 games, ISU averaged 9.7 shots a game and nine goals led by All-MVC First Team sophomores CeCe Wahlberg and Chloee Kooker. The Sycamores fell to Valparaiso in the first round of the MVC Tournament in 1-0 match in double-overtime. Sophomore Isabella Hunter and senior Danielle Varner were named to the MVC's All-Tournament Team.

The spring 2021 Sycamores upended SIU in the 85th minute in Terre Haute last season, bringing a 0-1 finale in the Saluki net. Indiana State, picked to finish third in the MVC coaches' preseason poll, has seen a 5-7-3 (3-2-2 MVC) fall season with Valley wins over Evansville (4-1), Northern Iowa (3-1), and Missouri State (3-1).

From the Preseason: The Salukis compiled a 0-1-2 record in 2021 exhibition matches, allowing only three goals. Sophomore Ashlyn Henrie has shined in her second season with SIU so far, recording one goal and one assist in the three games. The Dawgs opened exhibition play on Wednesday, drawing 1-1 to Southeast Missouri, while falling to UIC 0-1 on Friday, and turning up another 1-1 draw to Belmont in exhibition. Four freshmen and seven of ten Saluki newcomers saw action in the preseason.

Up in the Ranks: Junior keeper Maddy Alaluf marched into sixth in the Missouri Valley in saves per game (4.50), while junior forward Kaitlin DuCharme tops the Salukis with 15 shots and six shots-on-goal with teammate freshman midfielder Ashley Scesniak. Sophomore forward Sam Dodd and junior forward Liz Brechtel follow suit with 14 shots in 14 games. Along with Murauskis' goal -- holding the most points this season for SIU at three (1G, 1A) -- Scesniak, senior forward/midfielder Hailey Blanchard, junior forward Emma Spotak, and junior midfielder Quinn Parks all hold goals in the book for the Salukis.

FOLLOW THE SALUKIS

For the latest updates on the Salukis, be sure to follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Calendar

Upcoming Events