Southern Illinois University
University of Northern Iowa
Five Things to Know: Salukis vs. Northern Iowa
03/20/2021 | 4:45:00 | Women's Soccer
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois' women's soccer team stays home at Lew Hartzog Complex in Carbondale to face off against the Panthers of Northern Iowa on Sunday, March 21 at 1pm.
1. LOOKING AT LAST WEEK: Last Sunday the Salukis traveled to Des Moines, Iowa to challenge the Drake Bulldogs, which resulted in a draw in double-overtime, 0-0. In the overcast and rain-filled match, SIU outshot and shot-on-goal to the Bulldogs in the first half, while keeper Maddy Alaluf retained her third shut-out of the season. Sophomore Kaitlin DuCharme led the Salukis in the attack, bringing in four shots, with two on Drake's net.
2. SCOUTING NORTHERN IOWA: The Panthers are currently 1-2-2 (1-2-1, MVC) earning their first win of the season to Missouri State last week with a goal in 15 minutes by defender Sandra Thiman. UNI opened their 2020-21 season with two scoreless draws to Valparaiso and Iowa State, the Panthers dropped their third game of the season, surrendering a goal in the 100th minute to Evansville.
Falling short of earning a spot in the MVC Tournament, the Panthers completed last season 5-11, winning only one Valley game in 2019 against Indiana State, 2-1. UNI sees the loss of strong seniors and point- leaders Jordyn Rolli (6G, 2A), Sydney Hayden (3G, 4A), and Jamie Althiser (3G, 2A), while retaining MVC Preseason First-Team Honorable Mention, midfielder Lizzie Mewes who played in all 19 games for the Panthers and recorded five points (2G, 1A).
3. MOVING AROUND: In showcasing the team's flexibility and adaptability to the opponent, this 2020-21 squad has moved in some position changes. Juniors Kailyn Stone and Maya Warrior have moved forward to score goals for the Salukis -- Warrior recording six shots and a shot-on-goal this year. While junior Hailey Blanchard and sophomore Emma Spotak have been ultilities for SIU. Blanchard moved in at attack for Southern in the team's first three matches, while Spotak was in the back. Both flipped, as Spotak recording multiple shots for the Salukis on Tuesday and Blanchard made prominent blocks in the Saluki box.
4. SALUKI LEADERS: As the League's leading shooting defender, Kathryn Creedon ranks fourth in the MVC, bringing in seven shots-on-goals in the Salukis' five games in 2021. Sophomore forward Kaitlin DuCharme is fourth in the book in shots this season, shooting 14 times towards the net, averaging 2.8 shots a game. Keeper Maddy Alaluf is ranked second in the MVC in shutouts, recording three in the five games played by the Salukis. Alaluf hasn't let a goal past her since March 5 against Indiana State.
5. SPRING SOCCER: Due to COVID-19, the traditional fall soccer season was postponed into a spring format. Southern Illinois will play its first season of conference soccer as new joining members of the Missouri Valley Conference. Along with the eight-game conference schedule, the Salukis played one non-conference contest against Western Kentucky. The MVC Women's Soccer Tournament begins April 11. The NCAA Division I Women's College Cup will begin May 13.
Live stats for the match will be available here. Capacity is limited to 250 patrons, admission is free and fans are strongly encouraged to bring a lawn chair to socially distance. Gates open one hour to kickoff.
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