Southern Illinois University
University of Evansville
Five Things to Know: Salukis vs. Evansville
03/08/2021 | 1:45:00 | Women's Soccer
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois' women's soccer team stays home for their first night game of the season at Lew Hartzog Complex, where the Salukis will take on the Purple Aces of Evansville on Tuesday, March 9 at 7pm.
1. LOOKING AT LAST WEEK: In the Salukis first road contest, Southern Illinois fell to the Indiana State Sycamores by a lone goal in the 85th minute. Defensively, sophomore keeper Maddy Alaluf got her third start of her career and made nine saves to ISU's six, while SIU saw prominent blocks in the box by Emma Spotak and Kathryn Creedon. In attack mode, forwards Kaitlin DuCharme and Madison Meiring and defender Creedon all accumulated shots and two shots-on-goal each.
2. SCOUTING EVANSVILLE: The Purple Aces are currently 1-1 on the season. Evansville is coming off of a win in double-overtime to Northern Iowa, with the lone goal scored by junior Emily Ormson. The forward has currently played 64 minutes and taken two shots, one of which was on goal. UE fell to Illinois State, 1-0 on Feb. 27.
Evansville finished their 2019 campaign 2-12-3 (1-4-2 MVC) and a loss in the first round of the MVC Tournament to Missouri State, 0-1. Juniors Ormson and Emily Wolak led the Purple Aces offensively. Ormson finished her sophomore season with five points (2G, 1A), and Wolak following suit with four (2G). Keeper Michaela Till allowed eight goals and finished the season with 41 saves and an .837 save percentage.
3. VALLEY TIES: Head coach Grant Williams has ties to Evansville, as he spent six years on staff under coach Krista McKendree. During his tenure with the Purple Aces, Evansville won two conference championships, was part of the 2012 MVC Coaching Staff of the Year, and advanced to the 2015 NCAA Tournament. Williams also graduated with a masters degree from UE in 2016.
4. IN THE BOOKS: Sophomore keeper Maddy Alaluf currently ranks seventh in the Missouri Valley with an .800 save percentage. The Salukis as a whole rank third with 17 total saves. Senior defender Kathryn Creedon ranks third in the Valley in shots on goal per game (1.67/game) and ninth in the league with a 2.33 shots per game average.
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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