LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer went on the road and grabbed a point in a scoreless draw against the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to begin the Ohio Valley Conference season on Thursday night.
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With the 0-0 tie, Southern Indiana extended its unbeaten streak to four games after the third straight tie for the Screaming Eagles. USI moved its overall record to 1-5-4 while starting 0-0-1 in OVC play. Little Rock moved to 3-2-5 on the season and 0-1-1 in conference action.
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In Thursday’s match, shots on goal were at a premium, as both defenses played well. The possession battle went back-and-forth with neither side able to gain consistent control. Early in the first half, Little Rock pushed forward into the attacking third, but Southern Indiana’s defense halted any advancement. Little Rock had a shot on goal in the 25th minute, but the attempt was an easy save for USI’s redshirt freshman goalkeeper Anna Markland (Hoover, Alabama). The battle for possession in the midfield led to a scoreless first half.
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The flow of the match did not swing too much after the intermission, but the Screaming Eagles recorded their first shot of the contest in the 52nd minute from senior midfielder Avery Schone (Galena, Ohio). Markland gloved her second save of the game on a high-centered shot in the 62nd minute. Midway into the second half, sophomore midfielder Peyton Murphy (Bargersville, Indiana) fired away a pair of shots, but both were blocked by the Trojans. In the final three minutes, the Eagles had a pair of chances that threatened the goal. Following a long throw-in, senior midfielder Paige Vanek (St. Charles, Missouri) headed the ball on the backend, but Little Rock’s keeper saved it. With less than 30 seconds remaining, sophomore midfielder Emma Thurston (Leawood, Kansas) whipped a shot toward goal that was also saved, keeping the match scoreless.
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Both teams tallied five shots and two on goal apiece. Markland made two saves for USI, while Little Rock split halves in goal between graduate Marie Cimatti and sophomore Peyton Urban. Urban made both saves for Little Rock. For USI, Vanek and Thurston registered the shots on goal for the Eagles. Murphy led Southern Indiana with her two shot attempts. USI’s defensive unit was solid once again, as Markland, sophomore Charli Grafton (Sunriver, Oregon), sophomore Abby Rhoutsong (Newburgh, Indiana), and senior Alexis Schone (Galena, Ohio) played all 90 minutes. Freshman Kamryn Bea (O’Fallon, Missouri) played 83 minutes in a strong start along USI’s backline.
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USI continues the OVC road swing at Tennessee Tech University on Sunday at 1 p.m. Sunday’s contest can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+. Additional coverage links are on the USI Women’s Soccer schedule page on usiscreamingeagles.com.
