EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer allowed a pair of second-half goals in losing to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 2-1, Thursday evening at Strassweg Field. The Screaming Eagles fall to 2-13-2 overall and 1-6-2 in the OVC, while the Cougars clinch the OVC regular season and go to 9-4-3, 7-1-1 OVC.
Despite the loss, USI is seventh in the OVC standings, one point behind Western Illinois University in the league playoff picture. The Eagles need a win in Sunday’s regular season finale at Lindenwood University and a WIU loss or tie versus Houston Christian University to advance to the OVC post-season.
The top six teams advance to the OVC Championship at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, November 10-16, in Edwardsville, Illinois.
USI grabbed a first-half lead, 1-0, at 28:56 when freshman forward David Davila raced through the Cougar defense to record his third goal of the season. Davila was assisted on the play by a through-ball from midfield by junior forward Jaron Frye, who registered his first point of the season with the assist.
SIUE had the advantage shots during the first half, 11-5, doubling USI’s total.
The second half belonged to the Cougars, who tied the score at 50:27 and took the lead for good, 2-1, at 77:38. SIUE led USI 12-6 in shots during the final 45 minutes. The Eagles had a trio of shots on-goal – one by Davila and two by sophomore forward Jackson Mitchell – but could not find the back of the goal for the equalizer.
Between the posts for USI, sophomore goalkeeper Andrew Klott battled for the 90 minutes and made 10 saves, two short of a career best. He allowed the two goals, while facing 23 total shots.
