EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer dropped a 4-1 decision to Tennessee Tech University Sunday afternoon at Strassweg Field.
Following its first Ohio Valley Conference loss last Thursday, Southern Indiana (2-8-4, 1-2-2 OVC) entered Sunday looking to make an early statement. The Screaming Eagles did that and made some early noise with a goal five minutes into the match to take a 1-0 lead. Sophomore midfielder Pilar Torres switched the ball across to junior midfielder Emerson Grafton who directed it forward to junior forward Payton Seymour for the goal-scoring shot. The finish by Seymour was her second goal of the season.
However, as the clock approached the 25th minute, Tennessee Tech (4-7-4, 4-1-0) scored an equalizer to tie the game, 1-1. The Golden Eagles’ answer to USI’s goal came off a header on a corner kick. The Golden Eagles scored a second time nearly four minutes later to grab a 2-1 advantage and then tacked on another goal for a 3-1 lead in the 35th minute.
With less than five minutes left before halftime, USI senior Adriana Berruti ripped a shot off the crossbar for USI’s first shot since Seymour’s goal early in the opening half, but USI trailed 3-1 at the intermission.
Out of halftime, USI played an improved second half, especially on the defensive side. The Screaming Eagles held Tennessee Tech scoreless for most of the second half and challenged Tennessee Tech to difficult chances toward the goal. However, Tennessee Tech did score once more to make the score 4-1 with less than two minutes left.
USI had two good opportunities late in the second half. Junior defender Charli Grafton put a solid header off a corner kick just off the mark, and Emerson Grafton had a shot on goal that was saved.
Southern Indiana totaled a season-low five shots with two shots on goal. Tennessee Tech took 14 shots with nine on target. Corner kicks were nearly even at 8-7 in favor of USI.
Through Sunday’s slate of matches in the OVC, Southern Indiana is in a three-way tie for fifth in the conference alongside Eastern Illinois University and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with five points.
Coming off fall break, the next match day in the Ohio Valley Conference is next Sunday, October 13. The Screaming Eagles will travel to Morehead State University next Sunday for a Noon (CT) kickoff. Match coverage links can be found at usiscreamingeagles.com.
