Macomb, Ill. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer allowed two goals in the final 10 minutes and lost a 2-0 match to Western Illinois University Wednesday afternoon at Strassweg Field. The Screaming Eagles fall to 2-11-1 overall and 1-4-1 in the OVC, while the Leathernecks go to 7-7-1, 2-4-0 OVC.
The loss drops USI into seventh in the OVC standings, two points behind WIU in the league playoff picture. The top six teams advance to the OVC Championship at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville November 10-16 in Edwardsville, Illinois.
The USI offense was absent for the fifth-straight match. The Eagles, who have been held scoreless for the last 460 minutes of action, were outshot 18-10 but had a lead on corner kicks, 6-5. Freshman forward David Davila had USI’s lone shot on goal, coming in the opening half.
Defensively, USI held firm for the first 80 minutes before WIU struck at 80:38 and 87:11. Sophomore goalkeeper Andrew Klott faced 18 shots, made eight saves, and allowed the two goals.
NEXT UP FOR USI:
The Eagles conclude the two-match road swing Sunday when they visit Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Match time is scheduled for noon (CDT).
Liberty, which is 5-5-1 overall and 3-2-0 in the OVC, is slated to host Eastern Illinois University Thursday at 6 p.m. (EDT) before hosting USI. The Flames have their last two matches since starting the OVC schedule with three-straight wins.
Last season, USI and Liberty battled to a 1-1 tie at Strassweg Field in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
