This Week in Saluki Athletics: September 22-28
09/22/2025 | 5:36:00 | General
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Plenty of action occurred last week in Southern Illinois athletics. Soccer began conference play, volleyball competed at Arkansas, football added another chapter to the historic SIU-SEMO rivalry, and women's golf and cross country were in action as well.
Soccer (7-1-2, 1-0-0)
Missouri Valley Conference play began last week for soccer, who defeated Belmont, 2-1, in the conference opener. Aylie Haycock scored the game-opening goal and added an assist on Sophia Schlicklin's game-winner. Dana Nadda added a pair of assists as well. In goal, Lily Murray made two saves on three shots faced to secure her fourth win of the year.
Conference play continues this week for soccer, who plays host to Evansville on Thursday, Sept. 25, at 6 p.m. They then hit the road for a 1 p.m. game at Illinois State on Sunday, Sept. 28.
Volleyball (5-7, 0-0)
Volleyball was at the Razorback Invitational last Thursday through Saturday, going 1-2 at the event.
It began with a 3-0 loss to the host, Arkansas, on Thursday. Cecilia Bulmahn led the team in kills with seven, while Meghan Anderson and Emma Lade both hit double-digit assists. In the digs category, Jillian Shaneyfelt led all players with 15.
Southern then lost 3-1 to Arkansas State on Friday. This time, Annabelle Sulish led the game in kills with 17 while Lade dished out 25 helpers. Shaneyfelt had another impressive game defensively, picking up 21 digs.
The Invitational ended on Saturday when SIU defeated North Dakota State 3-1. Kelly Franklin had a 14-kill game to lead the Salukis, while Lade added another 24 assists to her season total. Defensively, Shaneyfelt had 23 digs while Eva Krakowski had three solo blocks.
The Salukis now start their trek through conference play this weekend. On Friday, Sept. 26, they travel to Murray State for a 6 p.m. contest. They then return home for Evansville on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 5 p.m.
Football (3-1, 0-0)
The latest installment of the War for the Wheel took place this past Saturday, with SIU dominating SEMO, 59-31.
Quarterback DJ Williams had a monster game, throwing for 342 yards, rushing for 151, and scoring six total touchdowns. Lashaun Lester rushed for a pair of scores, and Vinson Davis III caught two of Williams' touchdown passes. On the defensive end, Chris Presto forced a fumble that Colin Bohanek recovered and returned for 55 yards. Presto also picked up an interception. And at the line, Donnie Wingate grabbed a pair of sacks in the game.
Southern then collected multiple weekly awards following the game. Williams was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week as well as the Stats Perform FCS National Offensive Player of the Week. Meanwhile, Presto was named the MVFC Defensive Player of the Week and Derek Harden Jr. earned the title of MVFC Offensive Lineman of the Week.
Football can now enjoy their bye week before jumping into conference play on October 4 at home against Indiana State.
Men's Golf
Men's golf returns to action today, Monday, at the Badger Invitational in Madison, Wisconsin. The Invitational runs through tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 23.
Women's Golf
Women's golf began their fall season last week, participating in The Velvet, hosted by Murray State. As a team, the Salukis finished 12th out of the 16 teams present. Kayla Sayyalinh led the Salukis, finishing 24th overall with a score of 230 (+14). Not too far behind her was Ella Overstreet, who came in 34th-place with her score of 234 (+18).
The squad is back in action next week at the Diana Thomason Invitational, hosted by Iowa. It begins on September 29 and runs through the following day.
Cross Country
Cross country hosted their first home meet in six years at Friday's Oscar Moore Invitational. Four Salukis, Will Foltz, Weston Jokerst, Brady Faulkner, and Calen George, all finished in the top five on the men's side, with Foltz setting a new personal best. As for the women's team, Hannah Meiser and Savanna Franzen occupied spots in the top 10, finished sixth and ninth.
After a week off, cross country will be back in action on October 4 at Louisville's Live in Lou Classic.
Follow the Salukis
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on X at @SIUSalukis, on Instagram at @siusalukis, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SalukiAthletics/. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Soccer (7-1-2, 1-0-0)
Missouri Valley Conference play began last week for soccer, who defeated Belmont, 2-1, in the conference opener. Aylie Haycock scored the game-opening goal and added an assist on Sophia Schlicklin's game-winner. Dana Nadda added a pair of assists as well. In goal, Lily Murray made two saves on three shots faced to secure her fourth win of the year.
Conference play continues this week for soccer, who plays host to Evansville on Thursday, Sept. 25, at 6 p.m. They then hit the road for a 1 p.m. game at Illinois State on Sunday, Sept. 28.
Volleyball (5-7, 0-0)
Volleyball was at the Razorback Invitational last Thursday through Saturday, going 1-2 at the event.
It began with a 3-0 loss to the host, Arkansas, on Thursday. Cecilia Bulmahn led the team in kills with seven, while Meghan Anderson and Emma Lade both hit double-digit assists. In the digs category, Jillian Shaneyfelt led all players with 15.
Southern then lost 3-1 to Arkansas State on Friday. This time, Annabelle Sulish led the game in kills with 17 while Lade dished out 25 helpers. Shaneyfelt had another impressive game defensively, picking up 21 digs.
The Invitational ended on Saturday when SIU defeated North Dakota State 3-1. Kelly Franklin had a 14-kill game to lead the Salukis, while Lade added another 24 assists to her season total. Defensively, Shaneyfelt had 23 digs while Eva Krakowski had three solo blocks.
The Salukis now start their trek through conference play this weekend. On Friday, Sept. 26, they travel to Murray State for a 6 p.m. contest. They then return home for Evansville on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 5 p.m.
Football (3-1, 0-0)
The latest installment of the War for the Wheel took place this past Saturday, with SIU dominating SEMO, 59-31.
Quarterback DJ Williams had a monster game, throwing for 342 yards, rushing for 151, and scoring six total touchdowns. Lashaun Lester rushed for a pair of scores, and Vinson Davis III caught two of Williams' touchdown passes. On the defensive end, Chris Presto forced a fumble that Colin Bohanek recovered and returned for 55 yards. Presto also picked up an interception. And at the line, Donnie Wingate grabbed a pair of sacks in the game.
Southern then collected multiple weekly awards following the game. Williams was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week as well as the Stats Perform FCS National Offensive Player of the Week. Meanwhile, Presto was named the MVFC Defensive Player of the Week and Derek Harden Jr. earned the title of MVFC Offensive Lineman of the Week.
Football can now enjoy their bye week before jumping into conference play on October 4 at home against Indiana State.
Men's Golf
Men's golf returns to action today, Monday, at the Badger Invitational in Madison, Wisconsin. The Invitational runs through tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 23.
Women's Golf
Women's golf began their fall season last week, participating in The Velvet, hosted by Murray State. As a team, the Salukis finished 12th out of the 16 teams present. Kayla Sayyalinh led the Salukis, finishing 24th overall with a score of 230 (+14). Not too far behind her was Ella Overstreet, who came in 34th-place with her score of 234 (+18).
The squad is back in action next week at the Diana Thomason Invitational, hosted by Iowa. It begins on September 29 and runs through the following day.
Cross Country
Cross country hosted their first home meet in six years at Friday's Oscar Moore Invitational. Four Salukis, Will Foltz, Weston Jokerst, Brady Faulkner, and Calen George, all finished in the top five on the men's side, with Foltz setting a new personal best. As for the women's team, Hannah Meiser and Savanna Franzen occupied spots in the top 10, finished sixth and ninth.
After a week off, cross country will be back in action on October 4 at Louisville's Live in Lou Classic.
Follow the Salukis
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on X at @SIUSalukis, on Instagram at @siusalukis, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SalukiAthletics/. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
S
/ Women's Volleyball
LB
/ Football
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
WR
/ Football
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
G
/ Football
M
/ Women's Soccer
/ Cross Country
MH
/ Women's Volleyball
RB
/ Football
/ Cross Country
GK
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
/ Women's Golf
LB
/ Football
/ Women's Golf
F
/ Women's Soccer
DS/L
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
DE
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