Southern Illinois Concludes Non-Conference Action on Thursday at North Alabama

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University women's soccer team (1-2-3) will play its final non-conference match of the regular season on Thursday when it visits North Alabama at 7 p.m.

Details
Who: University of North Alabama (2-2-2)
Time: 7 p.m.
Date: Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023
Where: Bill Jones Athletic Complex - Florence, Ala.
Watch: ESPN+

Quick Hits

The Salukis hold a record of 1-2-3 heading into their match at North Alabama on Thursday. The three draws are tied for the second most in a single season in program history, and are one shy of the team's four draws in 2022.
In its last match, Southern Illinois played Lindenwood to a 1-1 draw in St. Charles, Mo. Dana Cruz scored within the opening two minutes of the second half, with the goal being her first at SIU. Lindenwood found an answer later on in the half, leading to the 1-1 final score.
On the season, SIU has scored five goals as a team. Kaitlin DuCharme and McKensey Bunch are responsible for two of them, while Cruz has the team's fifth. DuCharme is also tied for the team lead in assists with Ava Pugliese. Both players have posted one assist so far this season.
DuCharme now has six goals and five assists in her Saluki career. The graduate student is third all-time in goals at SIU, trailing only Liz Brechtel (10) and Emma Spotak (nine). DuCharme's five assists are the most in program history.
Bunch is the team leader in shots (eight), followed by Spotak (seven) and Sam Dodd (six).
Riley Maulick and Kylie McDermott have played all 540 minutes through the opening six matches. Veronica Gonzalez's 525 minutes are next on the list.
Goalkeeper Chantelle Symes has started four of SIU's six games. During that span, Symes has made 18 saves, allowed five goals, and posted a 1.25 goals-against average and .783 save percentage.
Ary Lougher has started two matches in-goal for the Salukis, making 15 saves and allowing three goals in those starts.

Head Coach Graeme Orr

Graeme Orr is in his first season as head coach of the women's soccer program. Assistant coaches Carley Kandel and Ash Phillips are also in their first year with the Salukis, while Jake Edwards returns for his second season as a graduate assistant on the coaching staff.
Orr comes to SIU after spending the previous 12 seasons as the head coach at Division II West Alabama. He was announced as the Salukis' head coach on May 30, 2023.
The Eaglesham, Scotland native, was the first head coach in West Alabama women's soccer history, starting the program in 2011. During his 12 years with the program, Orr posted an overall record of 115-78-19 and conference record of 79-44-9.
UWA recorded 10-consecutive and had 11-straight postseason appearances under Orr.
Orr was previously an assistant coach at North Alabama before arriving at West Alabama.

Looking at North Alabama

The Lions are 2-2-2 after their first six matches. In its last three contests, North Alabama is unbeaten, posting a record of 2-0-1 with zero goals conceded during that span.
North Alabama was victorious in its last match, defeating Alcorn State, 2-0, at home on Sunday, Sept. 3. Alice Bussey scored twice in the win, while Hannah Guthrie and Haley Patterson picked up the assists.
Adriana Wright picked up the clean sheet in-goal. This was Wright's third consecutive appearance where she did not allow a goal. On the season, the goalkeeper has made 17 saves and allowed three goals in five matches played.
The Lions have scored five goals on the year, with Bussey's two goals leading the way. Goose Andrews, Olivia Heinert, and Abby Thornton have all also scored.
Only Wright and Briana Eads have played a full 540 minutes on the year for the Lions.
North Alabama's head coach is Chris Walker, who is in his 11th season in the role.

Series History

Southern Illinois is 0-1-1 all-time against North Alabama.
The last time the two programs met was on Aug. 22, 2021, where the match ended in a 0-0 draw.

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.

Calendar

Upcoming Events