In one of the most hard fought and thrilling matches in program history, the 19th-ranked University of Southern Indiana men’s soccer team fell short in overtime to top-ranked Rockhurst University, 2-1, Sunday afternoon at Strassweg Field. USI watched its record fall to 10-2-0 overall and 8-2-0 in the GLVC, while Rockhurst goes to 11-0-1, 9-0-1 GLVC.
The Screaming Eagles, who are off to the best start in program history, saw its school-record winning streak end at eight games.
The Hawks opened the scoring with a goal at 31:40 of the first half to lead 1-0 after it was the Eagles who had been the most dangerous offensively to begin the match. USI, which had the first three shots of the match, was robbed of a goal early when freshman forward Eric Ramirez (Vincennes, Indiana) had a shot cleared out of the goal by the Hawks defense after looping a shot over the goalkeeper.
After Rockhurst carried the 1-0 lead through the intermission, USI got onto the scoreboard at 64:54 when junior midfielder Kyle Richardville (Vincennes, Indiana) headed in the equalizer to tie the match, 1-1. Richardville was assisted on his seventh goal of the season by freshman defender Drew Albert (Eureka, Missouri).
Both squads would have chances late in the second half, but would come up short as the game went into overtime. Rockhurst wasted little getting the game-winner in the extra period, scoring the “sudden victory” goal a 92:15 off the head of Rockhurst forward Kaleb Jackson.
Following today’s match with Rockhurst, the Eagles hit the road for three-straight matches. USI will travel to Drury University October 14; Missouri University of Science & Technology October 16; and McKendree University October 21 on the longest road trip of the year.
