Cougars Ready For Two Tough Road Matches
         EDWARDSVILLE, ILL. - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville women’s soccer coach Lynda Bowers knows that it is important for her team to gain early success in the Great Lakes Valley Conference season.
         The Cougars head to the Hoosier State for matchups with Saint Joseph’s and Indianapolis this weekend.
         “Both of those teams are the type of teams that can beat you,” said Bowers. “They are at home and that will play to their advantage.”
         SIUE won its last three matches to run its mark to 5-2 overall and 1-0 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
         “If we do well in the conference, it will look good in our region,” said Bowers. “The conference season is such a huge focus for us.”
         After starting last week with a lost to Southeast Missouri State, the Cougars rebounded with wins over Quincy, Trinity International, and Saginaw Valley State.
         “It was important to get back on a winning streak,” said Bowers. “It’s good for our team’s confidence.”
         Kayla Fromme (New Berlin) notched her first two goals of the season in the win over the Cardinals.
         “She got moved up in the attack,” said Bowers. She is playing more of a wing position, and having Kayla up there makes a lot of people on the team very happy.”
         Kristine Armstrong (St. Peter’s, Mo.) notched the game-winner over the Lady Trojans as well as handing out two assists in the three contests.
         Freshman goalkeeper Kaci Backs (Greenville), who is filling in for injured starter Kim Roady (Granite City), has recorded three straight shutouts with a 0.70 goals against average.
         “She has stepped in for Kim and done a great job,” said Bowers.
         The Cougars are outshooting their opponents 103-56 this season mostly because of freshman Elizabeth Valenti (Overland Park, Kan.), who leads the team with 19 shots and is second on the club with five points.
         The contest with the Pumas begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, and the match with the Greyhounds begins at Noon on Sunday.
                  -siue cougars-