Thursday, August 17
Carbondale, IL
1 PM
Southern Illinois University
1-0-0, 0-0-0
2
vs
1
Jackson State
0-1-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Jackson St.
0
1
1
Southern Ill.
0
2
2
Salukis score late penalty to earn first win of season
08/17/2023 | 4:57:00 | Women's Soccer
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University women's soccer team (1-0-0) started its season off with a 2-1 victory over Jackson State on Thursday afternoon, giving first-year head coach Graeme Orr his first-career win at SIU.
"I thought the girls worked extremely hard," Orr said. "We battled really hard in the first half, just didn't show enough composure on the ball. In the second half, we were able to create some chances, test the goalkeeper, and ultimately did really well."
Both teams got off to a strong start on the defensive end, limiting each other to four shots for Jackson State and three for Southern Illinois in the opening half. Neither goalkeeper was required to make a save at the end of the first 45 minutes of play.
The Salukis got off to a quick start in the second half, with McKensey Bunch scoring from outside the box in the 50th minute off of a Ava Pugliese assist to give Southern its first goal of the season. The goal was the second of Bunch's career, while Pugliese's assist was her first as a Saluki.
Jackson State was able to find an answer later on in the half, leveling the score at 1-1 in the 67th minute.Â
In the 79th minute, Emma Spotak made a run inside the box and was fouled, leading to a penalty kick with about 10 minutes to go. Kaitlin DuCharme stepped up and found the back-of-the-net and gave SIU the 2-1 lead, which was ultimately the final score. DuCharme has now scored five goals in her career.
"We have to use these seven games as experience to try and build so that we can get a solidified shape going into conference," Orr said.
Southern Illinois will go on the road for the first time this season on Sunday, Aug. 20, as the Salukis take on IUPUI in Indianapolis, Ind.Â
Follow the Salukis
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on Twitter at @SIU_Soccer, on Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiSoccer and on Instagram at @SIU_Soccer. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
"I thought the girls worked extremely hard," Orr said. "We battled really hard in the first half, just didn't show enough composure on the ball. In the second half, we were able to create some chances, test the goalkeeper, and ultimately did really well."
Both teams got off to a strong start on the defensive end, limiting each other to four shots for Jackson State and three for Southern Illinois in the opening half. Neither goalkeeper was required to make a save at the end of the first 45 minutes of play.
The Salukis got off to a quick start in the second half, with McKensey Bunch scoring from outside the box in the 50th minute off of a Ava Pugliese assist to give Southern its first goal of the season. The goal was the second of Bunch's career, while Pugliese's assist was her first as a Saluki.
Jackson State was able to find an answer later on in the half, leveling the score at 1-1 in the 67th minute.Â
In the 79th minute, Emma Spotak made a run inside the box and was fouled, leading to a penalty kick with about 10 minutes to go. Kaitlin DuCharme stepped up and found the back-of-the-net and gave SIU the 2-1 lead, which was ultimately the final score. DuCharme has now scored five goals in her career.
"We have to use these seven games as experience to try and build so that we can get a solidified shape going into conference," Orr said.
Southern Illinois will go on the road for the first time this season on Sunday, Aug. 20, as the Salukis take on IUPUI in Indianapolis, Ind.Â
Follow the Salukis
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on Twitter at @SIU_Soccer, on Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiSoccer and on Instagram at @SIU_Soccer. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Team Stats
JSU
SIU
Goals
1
2
Shots
9
11
Shots on Goal
3
3
Saves
1
2
Corners
2
4
Fouls
10
8
Scoring Plays
McKensey Bunch (1)
Assisted By: Ava Pugliese
GOAL by SIU Bunch, McKensey Assist by Pugliese, Ava.
49:59
Maya-Joy Thompson (1)
Assisted By: Sage Magruder
GOAL by JSU Thompson, Maya-Joy Assist by Magruder, Sage.
66:38
Kaitlin DuCharme
SIU Kaitlin DuCharme PENALTY KICK GOAL.
79:57
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's SoccerM
/ Women's SoccerM
/ Women's Soccer
F
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