By: Howard Woodard
After a brutal 2023, women’s soccer at SIU (2-0-2) is already off to a promising start in 2024. Their two wins have already eclipsed the one victory they earned last season. They have been competitive in each game, especially defensively, leading to opportunistic goals on the offensive side. Their first two matches at Jackson State and UT Martin were both draws. The game against JSU ended 2-2 with both of SIU’s goals being scored by fifth-year player McKensey Bunch. Her first score was just 10 minutes into the game off a corner kick from grad student Ashlyn Henrie that Bunch headed into the back corner of the net. The Tigers knotted the game at 1 before halftime. Bunch’s second goal was in the 80thminute when a free kick allowed freshman Quinn Sowders to drop the ball slightly in front of Bunch that set her up to drive the ball past the diving goalie. It was a brief lead as Jackson State tied the game once more, only a minute later. Against UT Martin, neither the Skyhawks nor Salukis could break through on the scoreboard as the match concluded in a 0-0 draw. The Dawgs got their first dub on the road at SEMO in a 1-0 game, but the match was scoreless until the 64thminute. Avery Smith and Dana Cruz set up freshman Sophia Schlicklin to score her first collegiate goal which was the deciding score of the matchup. The Salukis returned to Carbondale for their first home game against IU-Indianapolis and came away with a 3-1 victory. Marta Forne found the net off assists from Bunch and Schlicklin. Brooklyn Maier scored later on and was assisted by Kylie McDermott which was sandwiched by a Schlicklin goal that put the game away. The Jaguars scored in the 88thminute but it was too little, too late. Across the first four games, fifth-year goalkeeper Fabiana Solano had 14 saves and only allowed 3 goals, playing all 90 minutes in each match. The Dawgs will attempt to keep the momentum rolling in the win column against UMKC as they travel to face the Roos on Thursday, August 29.
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