Aug. 25, 2009

By Brett Maikowski, Southeast Missouri State Sports Information

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Southeast Missouri State soccer team will continue its homestand this weekend with two more non-conference matches. The first game will take place on Friday at 7 p.m. against the Alabma A&M Bulldogs. Then on Sunday, the Redhawks will face the Northern Illinois Huskies at 2 p.m.

Scouting The Redhawks

Southeast split their games last weekend as they finished 1-1 after beating Indiana State, but losing to Evansville, both by 1-0 margins. Junior Ashley Runion leads the Redhawks in offense so far this season after scoring the team's only goal in the first game of the season. Sophomore defender Nikki Edwards had the assist. In goal, freshman Kaitlyn Smugala has recorded four saves and one shutout in two games. Despite her success in goal, Smugala wasn't able to finish her second game due to an injury in the 55th minute of play. Freshman Kristen Starkey entered the game to replace Smugala.

Scouting the Bulldogs

The Alabama A&M Bulldogs haven't been able to get things going this year after losing their opener to Troy, 4-1, and the following game to Middle Tennessee, 11-1. Freshman Celeste Roberts was able to get the Bulldogs on the scoreboard in the first game in the 67th minute after a penalty kick was awarded. In the second match, Brittan Thomas scored the lone goal to prevent the shutout in the 59th minute.

In goal, Alabama A&M has struggled to keep the ball out of the back of their nets. Brittany Christian has allowed 10 goals, while making five saves in 90 minutes of play. Whitney Jackson has given up five goals, while recording five saves in the same amount of playing time.

Series History

The Redhawks currently lead the overall series against the Bulldogs, 2-0. The most recent meeting between these two teams came last season when Southeast took down Alabama A&M, 2-1, in Normal, Ala.

Scouting the Huskies

The Northern Illinois Huskies have only played in one exhibition game this season, in which they took down Northwestern, 1-0. The Huskies' offense received the credit for the goal as the Wildcats scored on their own goal in the 81st minute.

NIU's defense has been solid in the first match as they didn't allow a single shot in the first half of their game. Although Northwestern had six shots in the second half, none of them were on goal as the Huskies' defense kept them from getting any direct shots on goal.

Series History

Northern Illinois currently leads the overall series over Southeast by a 1-0 margin. Last season, the Redhawks lost 1-0 to the Huskies in DeKalb, Ill.