Game Preview: Southern Illinois Women’s Soccer at Evansville
Date & Time: Saturday, September 19, 6 p.m. CT
Location: Arad McCutchan Stadium, Evansville, Ind.
Southern Illinois women’s soccer aims to extend its program-record winning streak this Saturday as they face Evansville in their first Missouri Valley Conference matchup of the season. The Salukis come into the match with a record of 6-2-0, riding a wave of five consecutive victories, including four straight shutouts, having outscored opponents 12-0 during this run.
Last Game Recap
In their last outing on September 13, the Salukis secured a narrow 1-0 win against UT Martin, thanks to a game-winning goal from Victoria Hassan in the first half. This victory marked Southern’s fifth straight win, setting a new program record.
Goalkeeper Reagan Miller showcased her skills, playing the entire match and recording her fifth consecutive shutout, which earned her MVC Goalkeeper of the Week honors.
Salukis in Conference Standings
Southern Illinois has emerged as a formidable defensive unit in the MVC, allowing just four goals over eight matches and leading the conference with six shutouts. Miller tops the MVC in save percentage at .864 and has logged four shutouts in seven games.
On the offensive front, the Salukis have tallied 18 goals this season, ranking second in the conference with an average of 2.25 goals per game, along with 19 assists. Nao Katamoto leads the MVC with seven assists.
Additional Information
- Watch the Game: Live Stream
- Follow Along: Live Stats
Preseason Outlook
Southern Illinois was predicted to finish fifth in the MVC preseason poll, collecting 59 points. Junior Guliana Balistreri was named to the preseason all-conference team, while Brooke Gosse and Penny Warner both received MVC Player of the Week honors earlier this season. Additionally, Miller’s recent shutouts earned her MVC Goalkeeper of the Week recognition for the third time in her career.
Looking Ahead
With momentum on their side, the Salukis will look to continue their impressive streak and start the conference season on a high note against Evansville.
