HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Carson Bohnenstiehl's goal in the 53rd minute Wednesday proved to be the difference as SIUE women's soccer opened the 2026 season with a 2-1 road victory at Alabama A&M.
SIUE now returns home for its home opener and the start of a three-game homestand at Korte Stadium. The Cougars begin the homestand by facing Valparaiso for a 1 p.m. contest Sunday.
Bohnenstiehl, a junior transfer from St. Jacob, Illinois, connected with her first collegiate goal at 52:25. She captured a pass from Claire Nieroda just minutes into the second half. Bohnenstiehl buried the shot to the lower left of the goal and put the Cougars ahead for good.
In the first-ever meeting between the two programs, SIUE came out strong, outshooting the Bulldogs 5-0 in the first 20 minutes of the game.
Alabama A&M regained its footing and scored the game's first goal at 36:55 on a goal from Jordyn Washington.
The Cougars put pressure back on the Bulldogs and gained a penalty kick at 41:53.
Nieroda stepped up and scored on the PK for SIUE, her third career goal as a Cougar.
Sarah Bozeman played the full 90 minutes in goal for the Cougars and earned the victory. She recorded three saves. Adriana Durango collected six saves in goal for the Bulldogs.
SIUE outshot Alabama A&M 13-10. Nieroda led the team with four shots followed by three each from MaryClaire Imig and Bohnenstiehl as well as two from Olivia Watt.
