
Salukis Head to Vanderbilt
09/01/2021 | 2:00:00 | Women's Soccer
CARBONDALE, Illinois -- Southern Illinois travels to Nashville to challenge the SEC Vanderbilt Commodores Thursday evening at 7pm, for the Salukis' fourth match of the 2021 season. The match-up, held at Vanderbilt Soccer Stadium will be broadcasted on SEC Network+, while live stats are available here.
A Look at Last Game: The Salukis scored their first points of the 2021 season in a 2-3 fall to Kansas City at home on Friday night. Junior forward Emma Spotak opened up scoring for the evening with an unassisted break-away on the right within five minutes of the match. In the second half, freshman midfielder Ashley Scesniak recorded her first collegiate goal with 53:21 on the clock off of a free kick towards the corner where she sought the back of the Roos' net. Junior keeper Maddy Alaluf garnered her third start of the season and recorded two saves during the match.
So far in 2021: The 0-2-1 Dawgs dropped to UT-Martin, 0-2, during their 2021 season opener on Thursday. The midfield-heavy match showcased junior forward Kaitlin DuCharme notching two shots and one on-goal for the Salukis in the 90-minute contest. On August 22, SIU traveled to ASUN North Alabama, which resulted in a scoreless double-overtime draw featuring 16 Salukis shots towards the goal and three saves on defense. 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.
Returning Talent: SIU sees the return of 21, losing one starter from last season. Back in front of the net is junior keeper Maddy Alaluf (1.70 GAA, 0-5-3, 35 saves, 3 SHO), who finished sixth in saves percentage (.729) and fourth in saves per game (4.38) in the MVC. Attacking the goal is junior Kaitlin DuCharme (1G, 19 SH, 9 SOG), who finished her 2020-21 campaign with a goal against Missouri State on April 7, and ranked sixth in shots (19) in the Valley. The Salukis also see the return of 2020-21 All-MVC Second Team nominee, junior forward Emma Spotak. Spotak was the first player in program history to be tabbed with conference post-season honors.Â
Scouting Vanderbilt: The Commodores finished 9-6-1 (8-4 SEC) in the 2020-21 season, playing a traditional fall conference-only season in 2020 and winning the SEC tournament title, a 3-1 game against Arkansas. Later playing a modified spring season, #16-seed Vandy completed a scoreless double-overtime draw to #7 Duke, and fell in the second round of the College Women's Cup to #9 Penn State, 0-2.
Being the first meeting between the Salukis and a Power Five opponent, Vanderbilt opened their 2021 campaign ranked 18th, while currently posting a 1-2-1 record. The 'Dores dropped their last two matches, falling in overtime 2-3 to Western Kentucky and going scoreless against Duke 0-2.
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 forward Kaitlin DuCharme has posted eighth in the Missouri Valley Conference in average shots-per-game. The Michigan-native has taken a shot in every game of the 2021 season, averaging 2.33 shots per game. Junior keeper Maddy Alaluf holds steady at fifth in the league in goals-against percentage (1.552) and shutouts this season (1).Â
A Look at Last Game: The Salukis scored their first points of the 2021 season in a 2-3 fall to Kansas City at home on Friday night. Junior forward Emma Spotak opened up scoring for the evening with an unassisted break-away on the right within five minutes of the match. In the second half, freshman midfielder Ashley Scesniak recorded her first collegiate goal with 53:21 on the clock off of a free kick towards the corner where she sought the back of the Roos' net. Junior keeper Maddy Alaluf garnered her third start of the season and recorded two saves during the match.
So far in 2021: The 0-2-1 Dawgs dropped to UT-Martin, 0-2, during their 2021 season opener on Thursday. The midfield-heavy match showcased junior forward Kaitlin DuCharme notching two shots and one on-goal for the Salukis in the 90-minute contest. On August 22, SIU traveled to ASUN North Alabama, which resulted in a scoreless double-overtime draw featuring 16 Salukis shots towards the goal and three saves on defense. 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.
Returning Talent: SIU sees the return of 21, losing one starter from last season. Back in front of the net is junior keeper Maddy Alaluf (1.70 GAA, 0-5-3, 35 saves, 3 SHO), who finished sixth in saves percentage (.729) and fourth in saves per game (4.38) in the MVC. Attacking the goal is junior Kaitlin DuCharme (1G, 19 SH, 9 SOG), who finished her 2020-21 campaign with a goal against Missouri State on April 7, and ranked sixth in shots (19) in the Valley. The Salukis also see the return of 2020-21 All-MVC Second Team nominee, junior forward Emma Spotak. Spotak was the first player in program history to be tabbed with conference post-season honors.Â
Scouting Vanderbilt: The Commodores finished 9-6-1 (8-4 SEC) in the 2020-21 season, playing a traditional fall conference-only season in 2020 and winning the SEC tournament title, a 3-1 game against Arkansas. Later playing a modified spring season, #16-seed Vandy completed a scoreless double-overtime draw to #7 Duke, and fell in the second round of the College Women's Cup to #9 Penn State, 0-2.
Being the first meeting between the Salukis and a Power Five opponent, Vanderbilt opened their 2021 campaign ranked 18th, while currently posting a 1-2-1 record. The 'Dores dropped their last two matches, falling in overtime 2-3 to Western Kentucky and going scoreless against Duke 0-2.
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 forward Kaitlin DuCharme has posted eighth in the Missouri Valley Conference in average shots-per-game. The Michigan-native has taken a shot in every game of the 2021 season, averaging 2.33 shots per game. Junior keeper Maddy Alaluf holds steady at fifth in the league in goals-against percentage (1.552) and shutouts this season (1).Â
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
For the latest updates on the Salukis, be sure to follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
10.29.25 | Saluki Radio Postgame at Lindenwood -Rolyns Aligbe
Friday, October 31
10.29.25 | Saluki Radio Postgame at Lindenwood - Scott Nagy
Friday, October 31
10.31.25 | Saluki Radio Preview - at Murray State
Friday, October 31
10.30.25 | Saluki Football Radio Podcast - At Murray State
Thursday, October 30









