USI begins GLVC action Friday Eagles start by hosting Drury, visiting Truman State

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The University of Southern Indiana women’s soccer team begins the 2018 Great Lakes Valley Conference campaign Friday when it hosts Drury University for a special 3:30 p.m. kickoff at Strassweg Field. The Screaming Eagles hit the road for the second half of the weekend and conclude the first weekend of GLVC play at 20th-ranked Truman State University Sunday at noon in Kirksville, Missouri.

Coverage for the Eagles in GLVC action can be found at GoUSIEagles.com.

Week 3 Eagle Notes: 

Eagles get go 1-0-1 last week: The Screaming Eagles (1-2-1) got on track last week with a neutral-site 1-1 double overtime tie versus Northern Michigan University and a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana.

Offense shows up: After nearly three matches, the USI offense has made its first  appearance in 2018. Junior midfielder Courtney Spicer posted USI’s first goal of the year, scoring at the 86:06 mark of the tie with Northern Michigan, while freshman forward Madeline Weston and junior forward/midfielder Emilie Blomenkamp scored in the Eagles win versus Purdue Northwest.

GLVC Preseason poll: USI is predicted to place eighth in the GLVC during the 2018 season. USI tied for fifth last year in the conference regular season with a 6-4-4 conference mark, prior to bowing out of the GLVC Tournament in the first round.

Schoenstein is in his third year: USI Head Coach Eric Schoenstein is in his third season as the head coach of the Eagles, producing an 18-16-7 mark and back-to-back GLVC Tournament appearances.

USI vs. Drury: The Eagles hope to narrow Drury’s 8-5-0 all-time series lead Friday. USI won last year’s match-up, 5-0, at Strassweg Field, while Drury has won three of the last five meetings.

Drury in 2018: Drury (0-3-1) has struggled out of the gate in 2018, tying Christian Brothers University, 2-2, to start the year before being shutout in its last three matches.

USI vs. Truman State: USI trails the all-time series to 20th-ranked Truman State, 7-2-1, dating back to 1997. The Eagles defeated the Bulldogs, 2-1, last year at Strassweg Field and broke a four-game losing streak to Truman State.

Truman State in 2018: Truman State (4-0-0) has the best overall record in the GLVC, sweeping four non-conference games and allowing only one goal in 360 minutes of action. The Bulldogs, who host Lewis University Friday before welcoming the Eagles, also are averaging 2.5 goals per contest.