The University of Southern Indiana women’s soccer team lost a tough battle with Rockhurst University, 2-1, Sunday afternoon in Kansas City, Missouri. USI goes to 6-4-4 overall and 4-3-4 in GLVC play, while Rockhurst ends the match 7-7-0 overall, 5-6-0 in the league.
The loss drops USI into a tie for fifth place in the GLVC with Bellarmine University with the possibility of a tie for fourth pending the outcome of the University of Indianapolis-Truman State match later today. The top eight teams in the GLVC advance to the league’s post-season tournament with the top four squads earning the right to host a first round contest.
USI fell behind early in the match and trailed 2-1 at the intermission. Rockhurst took the initial lead at 3:48, holding the advantage until 29:50 when freshman defender Madelyne Juenger (Columbia, Illinois) picked up a loose ball and scored from inside the 18 to knot the match at 1-1.
The Hawks, however, were not finished in the first half and retook the lead, 2-1, with a tally at 44:10. The Eagles did not get another shot before halftime as the Hawks went into the locker room with the eventual 2-1 margin of victory.
In the second half, the Eagles and the Hawks battled back-and-forth across the pitch with neither squad breaking through the other’s defensive line. USI had plenty of chances to find the back of the Rockhurst goal despite being outshot, 9-7, in the final 45 mintues.
USI returns to Strassweg Field for the longest and final homestand of 2017. The Eagles are scheduled to host Drury University October 20; Missouri University of Science & Technology October 22 for Senior Day and the annual Kick for the Cure match; and McKendree University October 25 for the 2017 regular season finale.
