Ramirez, Eagles Score Win In 2016 USI Men’s Soccer DebutÂ
Owensboro, Ky. – University of Southern Indiana men’s soccer freshman forward Eric Ramirez (Vincennes, Indiana) made his collegiate debut a memorable one by scoring twice in the Screaming Eagles’ season-opening 3-0 win over Kentucky Wesleyan College Thursday night in Owensboro, Kentucky. The Screaming Eagles start a season 1-0 for the third-straight year and raised their record to 29-6-2 all-time versus the Panthers.
Ramirez scored his first collegiate goal and the posted the Eagles first tally of the season at the 21:36 mark. USI freshman midfielder Sean Rickey (Columbia, Illinois) started the play with a throw in to the center of the box where freshman midfielder Adam Newman (Marion, Illinois) headed the ball to Ramirez for the goal.
USI and Ramirez struck again nearly 13 minutes later to give the Eagles a 2-0 advantage before halftime. Ramirez struck from five yards out as USI junior goalkeeper Adam Zehme (Orland Park, Illinois) and freshman defender Justin Brooks (Fishers, Indiana) keyed a break away down the right-hand side of the field.
In the second half, Newman put the Eagles up 3-0 when his cross deflected off of a KWC defender for his first collegiate goal. KWC would get onto the scoreboard at the 79:19 mark to close the gap to 3-1, but that would be as close as the Panthers would get in the final minutes.
Between the posts for the Eagles, Zehme posted his first victory of the season by allowing the one goal and making five saves. He faced only two shots in the first half and six blasts in the final 45 minutes.
The Eagles conclude the season opening road trip Monday when they travel to Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee. The second match of the year is slated for 2 p.m. with live coverage available on GoUSIEagles.com.
USI slated to open the 2016 home and Great Lakes Valley Conference schedule September 9 at 7:30 p.m. when the Eagles host the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The Eagles conclude the short two-match Home -stand September 11 at 2:30 p.m. with their annual “Gold Game” when they host Maryville University.
The “Gold Game” features the Eagles in gold jerseys to promote awareness and the search for a cure of pediatric cancers. Admission for the USI-Maryville match on September 11 is free of charge.
