Friday, August 27
Carbondale, Ill.
7 PM
Southern Illinois University
0-2-1, 0-0-0
2
vs
3
Kansas City
2-1-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Kansas City
1
2
3
Southern Ill.
1
1
2
Salukis Fall In Thrilling Home Opener
08/27/2021 | 11:15:00 | Women's Soccer
CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Saluki Women's Soccer program fell to the Roos of Kansas City 3-2 in their home opener Friday night at Lew Hartzog. The thrilling matchup featured three lead changes, with the Roos ultimately grabbing the game-winning goal late in the second half.
Junior Emma Spotak gave the Salukis an early lead in the 4th minute when she got a breakaway behind the Roos back line and put a shot past Kansas City goalkeeper Natasha Richardson. Spotak's goal in the 4th minute marks the quickest goal in program history for the Salukis. The Roos answered back in the 35th minute when Kassi Ginther was able to beat Saluki goalkeeper Maddy Alaluf to even the score. That was all the scoring to be done in the first 45 minutes as the score remained tied going into halftime.
The Salukis regained the lead in the 54th minute when freshman Ashley Scesniak scored on a free kick from the left wing, just outside the 18-yard box. "If we're not scoring in the run of play, when we create those dangerous opportunities, whether that be corner's or set pieces, we have to make them count," said head coach Grant Williams. "Scesniak stepped up and it was great composure by a freshman to put the ball in the back of the net."
Kansas City was once again able to even the score, this time in the 60th minute. The graduate student Kassi Ginther scored her second goal of the game, and third of the season for the Roos. The last lead change of the game came less than 10 minutes later when Kansas City sophomore Rileigh Kuhns scored on an assist from Emily Jensen.
"We're still really early in the season and we're still seeing what players have to offer," said Williams. "Tonight we did some really nice things when we possessed the ball and played within ourselves; however, we are still lacking in consistency and performance at times. We scored twice tonight, so all we can ask is for them to get a little better each time and the results will come. We will prepare the best we can this week to be tested on the road by Vanderbilt and Lipscomb. We're going to have to be better in the coming weeks, but as the coach of this group I am really happy with where the kids are at."
The Salukis continue their season next week with a two game road stint to Nashville, Tennessee. SIU will first take on SEC opponent Vanderbilt on Thursday, September 2 at 7 PM. Sunday's matchup will be against Lipscomb University at 5:30 PM.
Junior Emma Spotak gave the Salukis an early lead in the 4th minute when she got a breakaway behind the Roos back line and put a shot past Kansas City goalkeeper Natasha Richardson. Spotak's goal in the 4th minute marks the quickest goal in program history for the Salukis. The Roos answered back in the 35th minute when Kassi Ginther was able to beat Saluki goalkeeper Maddy Alaluf to even the score. That was all the scoring to be done in the first 45 minutes as the score remained tied going into halftime.
The Salukis regained the lead in the 54th minute when freshman Ashley Scesniak scored on a free kick from the left wing, just outside the 18-yard box. "If we're not scoring in the run of play, when we create those dangerous opportunities, whether that be corner's or set pieces, we have to make them count," said head coach Grant Williams. "Scesniak stepped up and it was great composure by a freshman to put the ball in the back of the net."
Kansas City was once again able to even the score, this time in the 60th minute. The graduate student Kassi Ginther scored her second goal of the game, and third of the season for the Roos. The last lead change of the game came less than 10 minutes later when Kansas City sophomore Rileigh Kuhns scored on an assist from Emily Jensen.
"We're still really early in the season and we're still seeing what players have to offer," said Williams. "Tonight we did some really nice things when we possessed the ball and played within ourselves; however, we are still lacking in consistency and performance at times. We scored twice tonight, so all we can ask is for them to get a little better each time and the results will come. We will prepare the best we can this week to be tested on the road by Vanderbilt and Lipscomb. We're going to have to be better in the coming weeks, but as the coach of this group I am really happy with where the kids are at."
The Salukis continue their season next week with a two game road stint to Nashville, Tennessee. SIU will first take on SEC opponent Vanderbilt on Thursday, September 2 at 7 PM. Sunday's matchup will be against Lipscomb University at 5:30 PM.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
For the latest updates on the Salukis, be sure to follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Team Stats
KCR
SIU
Goals
3
2
Shots
9
11
Shots on Goal
5
4
Saves
2
2
Corners
5
0
Fouls
4
4
Scoring Plays
Emma Spotak (1)
GOAL by SIU Spotak, Emma.
03:49
Kassi Ginther (3)
Assisted By: Morgan McLaughlin
GOAL by KCR Ginther, Kassi Assist by McLaughlin, Morgan.
34:08
Ashley Scesniak (1)
GOAL by SIU Scesniak, Ashley.
53:21
Kassi Ginther (3)
Assisted By: Lillie Fields
GOAL by KCR Ginther, Kassi Assist by Fields, Lillie.
59:56
Rileigh Kuhns (1)
Assisted By: Gabrielle Simms
GOAL by KCR Kuhns, Rileigh Assist by Simms, Gabrielle.
69:05
Game Leaders
fwd
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
Inside Saluki Athletics - October 28th
Wednesday, October 29
10.28.25 | Saluki Radio Basketball Podcast - Exhibition at Lindenwood
Tuesday, October 28
2025 Saluki Hall of Fame Ceremony
Tuesday, October 28
10.28.25 | Coach Nick Hill Weekly Presser
Tuesday, October 28