EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer seized a 1-0 victory over Morehead State University Thursday night, as a late goal from sophomore forward Josie Pochocki lifted the Screaming Eagles to an Ohio Valley Conference win at Strassweg Field.
USI Women’s Soccer (4-5-2, 1-0-1 OVC) recorded three points in the OVC standings with the win while extending the team’s unbeaten streak to six matches. Morehead State (3-8-0, 1-1-0 OVC) suffered its first setback of the OVC season.
Pochocki’s game-winning goal in the 80th minute was the sophomore’s third tally of the season to tie for the team lead. Pochocki paced the Screaming Eagles Thursday night with four shots and three on goal. Redshirt sophomore forward Eva Boer was next with three shots and one on frame. Overall, USI outshot Morehead State 12-8, while the two sides matched with five shots on goal.
Redshirt junior goalkeeper and reigning OVC Goalkeeper of the Week Anna Markland gloved five saves Thursday night. Markland and the USI defensive unit posted their fifth shutout of the season.
The Screaming Eagles jumped out of the gates with some early chances, taking four shots in the first 12 minutes of the contest. Pochocki had two of the first four shots. Pochocki would make another attempt toward the goal nearly eight minutes later.
Morehead State challenged with a look in the 26th minute toward the low corner of the goal, but Markland dove and corralled the ball despite some slippery field conditions due to recent rain in the days leading up to Thursday’s contest. The two teams battled to a scoreless first half.
In the second half, USI produced many threatening opportunities off corner kicks. A corner kick in the 55th minute was flicked on toward goal by Boer, but it was saved.
Markland delivered a crucial save in the 67th minute when a one-touch shot was sent back to her left. Markland got a glove on it to direct it wide of the goal. The USI keeper would make another clutch diving save to her left before the 80th minute on a shot inside the box.
It was a minute later when the Screaming Eagles jumped onto the scoreboard. Freshman forward Haley Kocher led senior forward Emerson Grafton with a pass to the right of the box and toward the end line. Grafton crossed the ball to the far side of the six-yard box, which is where Pochocki volleyed the ball into the net for the game-winning goal.
USI nearly doubled the lead with a similar play from the opposite side of the attacking third, but the shot chance was saved. However, the Screaming Eagles ran out the clock to close out the 1-0 triumph and avenge the loss to Morehead State in the 2024 OVC Tournament quarterfinals.
USI Women’s Soccer concludes the back-to-back OVC homestand on Sunday at 1 p.m. when the Screaming Eagles host Southeast Missouri State University at Strassweg Field for Senior Day, as USI will recognize and celebrate its senior class before the game. Admission to Sunday’s match is free thanks to ProRehab. The contest against the Redhawks can also be seen with a subscription to ESPN+.
