Southern Illinois University
Illinois State University
Five Things to Know: Salukis vs. Illinois State
04/02/2021 | 2:00:00 | Women's Soccer
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois' women's soccer team is in Carbondale for the final home game of the spring 2021 season, where the Salukis will battle the Redbirds of Illinois State under the lights on Saturday at 1pm at Lew Hartzog Track and Field Complex.
1. LOOKING AT LAST WEEK: Back at home last Sunday, the Salukis fell to Loyola, 0-5. Sophomore keeper Maddy Alaluf garnered her sixth start of the season and accumulated three saves while defending the Saluki net. Sophomore Dariana Mihalache took over the net for the Dawgs in the last 45 minutes, recording two saves with her action this season. Both Kathryn Creedon and Katy Quinn got the start in back for the Salukis, bringing in prominent blocks inside the Saluki box to reach the ball out for the offense. In the attack, SIU saw shots by Creedon and junior Maya Warrior, while playing smart ball and holding off less fouls and offsides calls to the Ramblers.
2. SCOUTING ILLINOIS STATE: Holding the #4 spot in the conference, the Redbirds are coming off of a win against UNI, 2-0 with goals scored by junior Shaina Dudas and redshirt senior Abby Basler. Illinois State is 3-5 (3-3 MVC), taking wins against Evansville, Missouri State, and Northern Iowa with six goals total for the season. In the net, ISU has redshirt sophomore Priya Gillan, earning 19 saves with two shutouts in starting all eight games, while Basler leads the Redbirds in the attack and tabs 10 points with 13 shots-on-goal.
Dropping to Loyola for the 2019 MVC title, Illinois State finished their last season 14-6 (6-1 MVC), holding a perfect conference record, only dropping to the Ramblers. The Redbirds finished second in the 2020-21 MVC Coaches' Preseason Poll, with MVC First-Team selections seniors forward Natalie Vaughn-Low and defender Alyssa Ramsden.
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 utilities for SIU. Blanchard moved in at attack for Southern in the team's first three matches, while Spotak was in back. Both flipped thus far, as Spotak has recorded multiple shots for the Salukis on and Blanchard made prominent blocks in the Saluki box.
4. SALUKI LEADERS: As the League's leading shooting defender, Kathryn Creedon ties for sixth in the MVC, bringing in seven shots-on-goals in the Salukis' seven games in 2021. Sophomore forward Kaitlin DuCharme is sixth in the book in shots this season, shooting 15 times towards the net, averaging 2.5 shots a game. Keeper Maddy Alaluf is ranked fourth in the MVC in shutouts, recording three in her six games started for the Salukis. Southern Illinois is currently tabbed first in saves-per-game in the conference.
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.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
For the latest updates on the Salukis, be sure to follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
