 University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer rocked the University of Illinois Springfield, 3-0, Friday evening at Strassweg Field. The Screaming Eagles see their record go to 4-5-3 overall and 4-4-2 in the GLVC, while Illinois Springfield goes to 5-6-2, 3-5-2 GLVC.
USI took advantage of a two-minute lapse by Illinois Springfield to score three times between the 12:43 and the 14:47 mark. USI senior forward Eric Ramirez (Vincennes, Indiana) put the Eagles on top with the eventual game-winning goal off of assists by senior midfielder Sean Rickey and senior midfielder Morgan Kelly. The goal was the fourth of the season for Ramirez.
The Eagles struck again 16 seconds later when freshman forward Zach Barton posted his second tally of the season off of Rickey’s second assist of the game and an assisting pass by senior midfielder Adam Newman.
Rickey sealed the victory with USI’s third goal in two minutes, tying him for the team lead in goals with Ramirez at 14:47. Rickey was assisted on his goal by Ramirez and senior midfielder Adam Becker.
In the second half, the Eagles continued to pressure the Stars while putting up a strong defensive wall. USI junior goalkeeper Justin Faas needed to only make a pair of saves as the Eagles defense limited Illinois Springfield to 10 shots, two on-goal.
USI concludes its homestand Sunday when the Eagles host Lewis University for a 2:30 p.m. showdown. The Flyers saw their record go to 7-4-2 overall and 4-4-2 in the GLVC after falling, 1-0, at McKendree University this evening.
The all-time series between USI and Lewis is tied 23-23-2 after the Eagles defeated the Flyers, 3-0, last fall in Romeoville, Illinois, on goals Newman, sophomore midfielder Drew Domalewski,and sophomore midfielder Ryan Nevins. USI has won three of the last five meetings versus the Flyers.
