Eagles come home to start GLVC play

The University of Southern Indiana men’s soccer team begins the defense of its 2018 GLVC regular season title Sunday when it hosts McKendree University at Strassweg Field. Match time is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and coverage can be found on GoUSIEagles.com.

This Sunday’s USI men’s and women’s soccer games will be played in honor of Oliver “Ollie” Dill, a child of the USI Family who tragically lost his life this past summer. All ticket proceeds will be donated to a selected charity in Ollie’s name.

USI’s first homestand of the season extends through September 20 when the University of Indianapolis visits Strassweg Field for a 7:30 p.m. match-up.

Week 2 Eagle Notes: 

Eagles start the year 0-1-1: The Eagles started slow in 2019, posting a 2-1 loss at Northern Michigan University and a 3-3 double-overtime tie at Northwood University.

The offense has big day versus Northwood: After scoring a single tally in the loss to NMU, USI found its offensive stride in the 3-3 tie with Northwood, scoring once in the first and rallied to tie the score twice in the second half. Junior forward Graham Miller finished the weekend with a team-high three points on one goal and one assist, while junior defender Justin Raines, sophomore midfielder Ryan Nevins, and sophomore defender Colten Walsh has two points each, all three adding one goal.

USI versus McKendree: USI leads the all-time series with McKendree, 7-4-2, after posting a 2-1 road win in 2018. The Eagles have won the last two meetings, but are .500 (2-2-1) against the Bearcats in the last five years.

The Bearcats in 2019: McKendree started the year 1-1-0 after losing to nationally-ranked Saginaw Valley State University, 2-0, and defeating Oakland City University, 3-0, on a neutral site in Indianapolis, Indiana.

USI versus UIndy: USI leads the all-time series with UIndy, 22-13-0, despite falling to the Greyhouds in 2018, 1-0. The loss was the only conference defeat last year for the Eagles. The Greyhounds have had the upper hand on the Eagles since 2013, winning the last seven meetings, six coming in GLVC regular season action.

The Greyhounds in 2019: The Greyhounds were perfect in their first two matches, defeating Oakland City, 4-1, and SVSU, 2-1, in overtime. UIndy hosts Bellarmine Sunday before coming to visit USI next Thursday.

Santoro begins his 11th year: USI Head Coach Mat Santoro has an 88-75-19 overall record at the helm. Santoro has guided the Eagles to a pair of NCAA II Tournament appearances; the 2018 GLVC regular season crown, and five GLVC Tournament appearances during his tenure.

Return to the GLVC Tournament: USI is looking for its fifth-straight trip to the GLVC Tournament for the first time since 1979-84 seasons.

GLVC leader in championships: 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.