Big Road Test For USI This Week

The 22^nd-ranked University of Southern Indiana men’s soccer team starts a three-match road trip this weekend when it visits two of the top four teams in the Great Lakes Valley Conference on Friday and Sunday. USI (10-2-0, 8-2-0 GLVC), which starts the week third in the conference, drops in on fourth-place Drury University (9-2-1, 7-2-1 GLVC) Friday for a 7:30 p.m. contest before visiting second-place Missouri University of Science & Technology (7-1-4, 6-0-3 GLVC) Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Live coverage of USI’s two-match road weekend, including live statistics for both matches and a video link for Friday’s match, can be found on GoUSIEagles.com.

Week 7 Eagle Notes: 

USI remains in the top 25 poll: The Eagles are ranked 22^nd in the NSCAA Division II Top 25 poll this week. This is the first time USI has been ranked in back-to-back weeks since 2003.

Winning streak ends: The loss to number one-ranked Rockhurst University last Sunday ended USI’s record-breaking winning streak at eight matches. The eight-match streak broke the mark set by the 1990 and 1991 teams.

Big road weekend for the Eagles in the GLVC: With five matches left in the 2016 regular season, the Eagles hit the road looking to lock down a GLVC Tournament first-round home match this weekend when they visit Drury and Missouri S&T. Third-place USI starts the week percentage points ahead of fourth-place Drury and percentage points behind second-place Missouri S&T. The top four regular season finishers earn the right to a first-round home match on October 30

Looking for third consecutive road trip sweep:  The Eagles are looking to post a first this weekend – sweep three-straight road trips. USI has swept through Quincy University, Truman State University, Saint Joseph’s College, and the University of Indianapolis in September and October, matching four-straight road wins in 1988.

Richardville takes over points lead:  Junior midfielder Kyle Richardville (Vincennes, Indiana) took over the USI points lead last week with three goals and one assist against William Jewell College and top-ranked Rockhurst. Richardville has 19 points in his first season with USI on seven goals and a team-high five assists. Freshman forward Eric Ramirez (Vincennes, Indiana) follows Richardville with 17 points on eight goals and one assist.

Ramirez close to having best freshman year:  Freshman forward Eric Ramirez has eight goals through the first nine matches and is closing in on one of the best freshmen seasons in USI history. The eight goals match the most by a freshman since Eric Schoenstein in 1988 when he scored nine during USI’s run to the GLVC Tournament.

Between the posts: Junior goalkeeper Adam Zehme (Orland Park, Illinois), who was named the GLVC Defensive Player of the Week after USI’s last road trip sweep, leads the Eagles between the posts with a 10-2-0 mark and a 0.90 goals against average. Zehme has a career-best 10 wins, 49 saves, and five shutouts this fall.

Among the leaders: Freshman forward Eric Ramirez leads the GLVC and ranks 23^rd in the NCAA Division II with eight goals. Junior midfielder Kyle Richardville is second in the GLVC in total points. USI, as a team, ranks first in assists, goals, and points in the GLVC.

This week’s opponents in the GLVC: While the Eagles were picked to place eighth in the GLVC this season, Drury was tabbed to place fourth and Missouri S&T was forecast for fifth in the league by the conference head coaches.

USI looks to break losing streak to Drury: USI enters Friday’s match with Drury looking to break its five-match losing streak to the Panthers after dropping a 2-0 decision last fall at Strassweg Field. The Eagles trail the Panthers all-time, 11-1-1, and posted their only win over Drury at home in 2010.
Eagles eye first win over Miners since 2007: USI visits Missouri S&T Sunday looking to break a seven-match losing streak to the Miners after losing, 3-2, last fall at Strassweg Field. The Miners lead the all-time series, 15-9-2, and are 9-1-1 in the last 11 meetings.

NSCAA NCAA Division II Top 25 Poll
1        Rockhurst University
2        University Of Charleston
3        Simon Fraser University
4        Wingate University
5        LIU Post
6        St. Edward’s University
7        Tusculum College
8        Barry University
9        Regis University
10        Lynn University
11        Adelphi University
12        California State University-Los Angeles
13        Limestone Colleg
14        Tiffin University
15        Midwestern State University
16        Lindenwood University
17        Palm Beach Atlantic University
18        Urbana University
19        Merrimack College
20        Pfeiffer University
21        University of California-San Diego
22        University Of Southern Indiana
23        University Of Tampa
24        Colorado Mesa University
25        Fort Hays State University

Also receiving votes: Gannon University (14), Franklin Pierce University (6), Missouri University of Science & Technology (6), Notre Dame College (5)