USI Men’s Soccer predicted 6th in OVC

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer is projected to place sixth in the Ohio Valley Conference in a vote by the league’s head coaches and athletic communications directors in a poll released today. USI, who was 2-12-3 overall and 2-5-1 in the Summit League last fall, will be a part of the OVC’s inaugural men’s soccer season. 
 
The OVC men’s soccer season will feature a 10-game conference slate that includes full-time league members USI, Eastern Illinois University, Lindenwood University, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and affiliated members Chicago State University, Houston University, Incarnate Word University, and Liberty University. In March 2023, the OVC announced the addition of the men’s soccer, which is the conference’s 19th sponsored sport.
 
Liberty was picked as the preseason favorite in 2023 after picking up eight of the 16 first-place votes and received 88 points. SIUE and Houston Christian followed with 86 points and 81 points for second and third, respectively, after collecting four first-place votes each. Lindenwood was picked fourth (62) and followed by UIW (53), USI (29), EIU (25) and Chicago State (24).
 
The top six teams in the standings will qualify for the 2023 OVC Men’s Soccer Championship Tournament, which will take place November 5, 8 & 11 on the campus of SIUE in Edwardsville, Illinois.
 
USI senior midfielder/forward Nick Faddis was selected as an OVC Player to Watch for 2023. Faddis started all 17 matches in 2022, leading the team with eight points on a team-high three goals and a squad-high tying two assists.
 
The Eagles kick off 2023 regular season August 24 at Indiana University/Purdue University Indianapolis and OVC action September 28 at home when they host SIUE.

 OVC 2023 Predicted Order of Finish

1. Liberty (8 first-place votes)    88
2. SIU Edwardsville (4)              86
3. Houston Christian (4)             81
4. Lindenwood                            62
5. Incarnate Word                       53
6. Southern Indiana                    29
7. Eastern Illinois                        25
8. Chicago State                         24