SIU Soccer earns first win of season, ends 2+ year winless drought against Alabama A&M

By Joseph Bernard, Sports Editor|September 1, 2022

The Salukis celebrate after a goal by Madison Meiring on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019 during the Salukis’ 2-1 win in overtime against the Morehead State Eagles at the Lew Hartzog Track & Field Complex.

Dawgs Night Out. The SIU women’s soccer team has finally ended their long winless drought with a shutout 2-0 win over Alabama A & M (2-3) tonight. This marks SIU’s first win in 1,064 days, dating all the way back to their inaugural 2019 season.

The Salukis powered their way to their first win, through terrific performances by both the offense and defense. To keep the shutout going, senior goalie Maddie Alaluf stopped five shots on goal throughout the night. On offense, Senior Liz Brechtel tallied an assist and a goal tonight to further SIU’s efforts. Junior McKensey Bunch added on a goal as well off two shots.

Overall SIU outshot Alabama with their nine shots compared to the Bulldog’s eight. The Dawgs also were able to stop hurting themselves, by limiting just one penalty to their name compared to the Bulldog’s three penalties.

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The first half started off slow for both squads, keeping the 0-0 shutout throughout the first 45 minutes. Alaluf’s spectacular save in the 18th minute kept the scoreless tie after a penalty kick for the Bulldogs. After that, only one shot was tallied for either team for the rest of the half.

The second half was one to remember for the Dawgs. Brechtel’s pass to set up Bunch’s goal gave the Salukis the 1-0 lead at the 52-minute mark. Brechtel came charging back in to help the Salukis finish strong. She added some insurance for SIU’s second goal of the night 27 minutes later for the 2-0 lead.

Some strong fight in the Bulldogs made it tough for SIU to come out on top, but Alaluf secured the deal with two more saves in the final 10 minutes to end the winless drought. The win also makes for rookie head coach Craig Roberts’ first win with the program.

The Dawgs will look to keep their winning ways alive with another home game this Sunday against Purdue Fort Wayne (2-1-2). That game is set for a 1 p.m start time.

Sports editor Joseph Bernard can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Jojobernard2001.

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