The University of Southern Indiana men’s soccer team opens its 2018 campaign and a three-match non-conference schedule at Kentucky Wesleyan College Thursday in Owensboro, Kentucky. The Screaming Eagles and the Panthers are set to kick off at 7 p.m. at Panther Field.
Following the trip down to Owensboro, USI returns to Strassweg Field to open the 2018 home slate when the Eagles host Northern Michigan University Sunday at 2:30 p.m. The Eagles complete the non-conference portion of the season September 7 at 6 p.m. (CDT) with a visit to Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Coverage for USI’s 2018 campaign can be found at GoUSIEagles.com.
Week 1 Eagle Notes:Â
Offense is back for 2018: The Eagles return 80.0 percent of its 2017 goal production to start the new season. Leading the way is junior forward Eric Ramirez, who was second-team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference after producing a team-high 16 points on six goals and four assists. Junior midfielder Sean Rickey and sophomore defender Justin Raines followed Ramirez with 11 points each last fall. Rickey and Raines each had five goals and one assist to round out the Eagles’ top three scorers.
New face between the posts: For the first time in four seasons, USI will have a new face between the posts to replace All-GLVC and All-Midwest Region goalkeeper Adam Zehme. Sophomore goalkeeper Justin Faas, who is scheduled to start for the Eagles versus KWC, appeared in three matches in 2017 as a redshirt freshman, allowing two goals and making two saves in 51 minutes of action.
Santoro begins his 10th year: USI Head Coach Mat Santoro, who has a 75-70-17 overall record at the helm. Santoro has guided the Eagles to four GLVC Tournament appearances and the NCAA II Tournament in 2016.
USI tabbed third in GLVC poll:Â The Eagles are predicted to place sixth in the GLVC preseason poll of the league’s coaches. USI was the GLVC Tournament runner-up last season after ending the season with an 8-6-0 league mark and placing seventh in the regular season a year ago.
Return to the GLVC Tournament:Â USI is looking for its fourth-straight trip to the GLVC Tournament for the first time since 1988, 1989, 1990, and 1991.
GLVC leader in championships:Â USI has 10 GLVC men’s soccer titles since the conference was created in 1979, the most by any program in the league. The Eagles won the conference championships in 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1990, and 1991.
Eagles in openers:Â USI is 20-17-2 all-time is season openers after beginning the last four seasons with victories.
USI leads all-time record with KWC: The Eagles have a dominating 30-6-2 all-time series record with the Panthers of KWC. USI won last year’s match-up, 3-2, at Strassweg Field, and has won 16-straight over the Panthers. Sophomore midfielder Graham Miller, midfielder Kyle Richardville, and sophomore defender Justin Raines had the goals for the Eagles.
The Panthers in 2017:Â Â KWC is coming off a 1-13-1 campaign in 2017, going 1-12-1 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
USI versus Northern Michigan:Â USI and Northern Michigan will be matching up for the first time in the history of the men’s soccer programs Sunday.
The Wildcats in 2017:Â The Wildcats of Northern Michigan, who open the 2018 season with a home match versus Mercyhurst University Thursday, were 6-11-2 overall in 2017, 2-9-1 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
USI versus Davenport:Â USI and Davenport will be matching up for the first time in the history of the men’s soccer programs September 7.
The Wildcats in 2017:Â The Panthers of Davenport was 12-6-1 overall and 6-5-1 in the GLIAC before winning the conference tournament to end the season. Davenport opens the 2018 schedule with five-straight GLVC teams beginning with Maryville University on Thursday.
