The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville men’s soccer team played a full 90 minutes plus a pair of overtime periods against No. 14 Northwestern Saturday night at Lakeside Field, but neither team could find the breakthrough in a 0-0 draw.
“Overall, I felt that we did a lot of things well tonight,” Head Coach Kevin Kalish said. “Our approach, mentality, and desire to compete all were positive – this was reflected in our play.”
The Cougars (5-5-1 overall, 1-0-0 Missouri Valley Conference) dictated play throughout Saturday’s match and created several excellent opportunities to net the game-winner.
SIUE outshot the Wildcats (8-3-1 overall, 1-1-0 Big Ten) by a 12-6 margin, while also winning the corner kick battle 5-3. The Cougar defense didn’t allow a shot on goal all night against an NU attack that had averaged two goals per game coming into Saturday.
“We secured the shutout tonight while not allowing a shot on goal,” Kalish said. “This is certainly something to build on as we continue to mature defensively as a team.”
The visitors created a number of notable chances in each half of play, as well as in overtime. The team’s best chance came early in the second half when Paul Scheipeter’s volley off a Christian Volesky cross was turned onto the post, then crossbar, by Northwestern goalkeeper Tyler Miller.
SIUE also had a chance early in the first half, when a cross was headed back across goal to Brett Lane, who had a close-range effort saved by Miller. Sean Baumann and Jabari Danzy both had shots that narrowly missed the target later in the match, with Danzy’s coming in the second overtime period.
“We faced a talented, well-coached Northwestern team tonight on the road and could have secured the win with more composure in the final third,” Kalish said. “While we were unable to find the goal we needed, the chances we created were high quality and our guys were hungry – all positive signs that we’re moving closer to the overall product we want.”
Next up for the Cougars is the team’s final non-conference match of the regular season, as SIUE travels to face South Florida Tuesday night. Game time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
“We are making strides as a group. It is important we continue to improve and build on this effort for Tuesday, and as we move into the heart of conference play. ” Kalish added.
