EDWARDSVILLE -- The SIUE Cougars women's soccer team outshot the SIU Salukis 23-6 Thursday but the two schools finished with a 1-1 draw at Korte Stadium.

"It took a while to find ourselves, but the second half was really good," said SIUE Head Coach Derek Burton. "It was unlucky not to get one of those chances to go in."

The Cougars outshot the Salukis 16-2 in the second half.

Ashlyn Nichols provided the goal for the Cougars at 44:04 on a 30-yard free kick. After a Salukis foul, Nichols used her left foot to bury a shot above SIU goalkeeper Chantelle Symes.

"Ashlyn really has a nice left foot," noted Burton. "She has the ability, and I'm really happy for her." 

The best chance for the Salukis in the first half came in the 40th minute, when graduate student Kaitlin DuCharme put a shot towards goal, which was saved by Cougars' goalkeeper Taylor Spiller. 

SIUE holds a 2-2-1 record overall and now has 36 hours to prepare for Saturday's contest against No. 23-ranked Saint Louis at CITYPARK. SIU Carbondale is now 1-2-2 overall.

"We're pleased with the second half especially," said Burton. "Obviously we would have liked to have the end results, but we're not too hung up on it especially with the quick turnaround."

Bunch scores equalizer for the Salukis in the second half

SIU had the game's equalizer at 55:52. McKensey Bunch connected on a pass from 35 yards out from DuCharme.

What a ball by DuCharme, and what a header by Bunch https://t.co/iH57389nrm pic.twitter.com/gi2Znq5FX3

— Saluki Soccer (@SIU_Soccer) September 1, 2023

"Delighted to get a point on the road," SIU head coach Graeme Orr said. "SIUE have had some great results recently and are experienced conference champions. We were brave on the ball and showed good mobility, so a lot of positives."

Symes would finish with nine saves against the Cougars, which created opportunities all over the field, including a season-high 13 corner kicks.

"Our first-half corner kicks were really dangerous," said Burton. "A couple in the second half were too. Those will come. We're working on it. It's about getting the right people in the right place and the delivery. We had some of those connections."

Spiller had two saves in goal for SIUE.

"We're looking to clean up the details and find a consistent 90 minutes," Burton said.

Box score
Team12FSouthern Ill.011SIUE101
Cougars vs. Salukis stats
Game StatsSIUSIUEGoals11Shots623Shots on Goal310Saves92Corners013Offsides11Fouls810
44:04Ashlyn Nichols (1)
Off free kick - 30 yards out - above GK55:52McKensey Bunch (2)
Assisted By: Kaitlin DuCharme
Through the middle

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