EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer scored a season-high four goals and defeated Lindenwood University, 4-2, in the 2023 season finale Sunday evening at Strassweg Field. The Screaming Eagles go to 2-12-3 overall and 1-6-3 in the OVC, while the Lions are 6-6-6, 3-3-4 OVC.
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USI scored a pair of first half goals and went into the intermission with a 2-1. Junior midfielder Elmer Garcia (Indianapolis, Indiana) scored the first goal of the game at 18:15 off of assists by junior defender Sam Benoist (Foristell, Missouri) and graduate midfielder Nick Faddis (St. Louis, Missouri), who started the play with a corner kick.
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After Lindenwood tied the match at 1-1, USI regained the advantage, 2-1, on a tally by freshman midfielder Pablo Juan (St. Louis, Missouri) at 43:06. Junior midfielder Garland Hall (Evansville, Indiana) crossed the ball to senior defender Aevar Ofjord (Iceland), who had his bicycle kick ricochet to Juan for the goal.
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The goals were the second of the year for both Garcia and Juan.
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Immediately after the kickoff to start the second half, USI pushed the advantage to 3-1 when sophomore defender Diego Rodriguez (Edwardsburg, Michigan) posted his first goal of the year at 49:46 off a pass from senior forward/midfielder Dan Hartman (Seymour, Indiana). The Lions responded at 50:14 by cutting the Eagles’ advantage to 3-2.
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The Eagles sealed the victory with a season-high fourth goal of the match and a 4-2 lead off the foot of junior forward/midfielder Robert Schoenstein (Evansville, Indiana) at 76:20. Schoenstein was assisted on his second goal of the season by Hartman and senior forward Zach Bartman (St. Louis, Missouri).
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USI junior goalkeeper Braden Matthews (Princeton, Indiana) and the Eagles’ defense held off the Lions for the final 14 minutes to preserve the victory. Matthews faced 20 shots, making four saves and allowing two goals in the win. Â
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NEXT UP FOR USI:
USI has completed the 2023 season and sets its sights on the 2024 campaign next August.
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