EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - SIUE women's soccer outshot SIU Carbondale 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 Carbondale goalkeeper Chantelle Symes.

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

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."

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."

Taylor Spiller had two saves in goal for SIUE.

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

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


Ashlyn Nichols celebrates her goal (Melissa Diekema photo)