Cougars Open Division I Era With 3-0 Win

Box Score

August 24, 2008

         TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville women's soccer ushered in the era of Division I Intercollegiate Athletics Sunday with a convincing 3-0 victory at Indiana State.
         SIUE Coach Derek Burton said once the Cougars started playing their type of game the season got off to a strong start.
         "Overall, it was a team effort," Burton said, noting that nearly all of his players entered the game.
         In fact, it was the bench which provided the difference in the game. Sophomore forward Kiara Akpore (Galesburg) scored twice, including the eventual game-winner at 29:48. Amy Million (Granite City) provided a goal in between. Six of SIUE's 10 shots came from non-starters.
         The Cougars had to fight early-game jitters. It was SIUE's first road contest, and Indiana State, 1-1, was coming off a 1-0 overtime victory Friday against Eastern Illinois. Burton said he expected the Sycamores to come out hard in the early-going.
         "We did not start well. It was kind of frantic the first 20 minutes of the game. It took a while for us to play the way we wanted to play," Burton said.
         The Cougars weathered the start and settled into the game when Akpore took a pass from freshman Brittany Bodziak (Schaumburg) and slotted the ball past Indiana State goalkeeper Taylor Nelson from 12 yards out.
         SIUE jumped ahead 2-0 on Million's goal. Burton said the play was set up by a miscue in the Indiana State defense and a heads-up play by SIUE's Ashley Davidson (Olathe, Kan.), who was credited with an assist.
         SIUE goalkeeper Kaci Backs (Greenville) played 80 minutes and made one save. Claire Lovercheck (Florissant, Mo.) came in with nearly 10 minutes to play and also collected a save.
         Akpore closed out the scoring at 76:29 on a breakaway, besting Indiana State backup goalkeeper Emily Lahay.
         The Cougars return to action next Friday at Akron. Game time is 7:30 p.m. ET.
                  -siue cougars-

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Players Mentioned

#14 Kiara Akpore: F; 5' 2"; Sophomore

#30 Kaci Backs: GK; 5' 5"; Senior

#22 Brittany Bodziak: MF; 5' 2"; Freshman

#8 Ashley Davidson: F/MF; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#1 Claire Lovercheck: GK; 5' 6"; Freshman

#16 Amy Million: F/MF; 5' 3"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#14 Kiara Akpore
: 5' 2"; Sophomore
: F

#30 Kaci Backs
: 5' 5"; Senior
: GK

#22 Brittany Bodziak
: 5' 2"; Freshman
: MF

#8 Ashley Davidson
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: F/MF

#1 Claire Lovercheck
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: GK

#16 Amy Million
: 5' 3"; Senior
: F/MF