AKRON, Ohio – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer found the scoring column with a trio of goals at the University of Akron on Sunday afternoon, but it was not enough as the Screaming Eagles were edged 5-3 in an offensive shootout against the Zips.
For the third straight outing, USI totaled a flurry of shots with 17 attempts on Sunday. Five were on goal, with three going in. Redshirt sophomore forward Eva Boer led the team with four shots and two on target, including the first tally of the season. Freshman midfielder Haley Kocher was second on the team with three shots, including one on goal.
Akron recorded its five goals on 10 total shots and six on frame.
After both teams came out trying to settle into the match and a pair of early shots by Akron, the host Zips struck first with a header goal in the 15th minute to grab a 1-0 lead.
Five minutes later, USI answered and evened the game, 1-1. A cross that deflected off the post and was tapped back by sophomore forward Josie Pochocki was then headed into the net by Boer for the first goal of the season for the Screaming Eagles.
A penalty-kick goal by Akron in the 31st minute put the Zips back in front. Once again, USI had a quick response as freshman defender Tierney Mullady slotted in a corner-kick pass from junior forward Grace Bamber to tie the game, 2-2.
However, Akron went into halftime ahead 3-2 after another goal in the 38th minute.
It was not long into the second half that the Screaming Eagles drew all square at 3-3 when senior forward Peyton Murphy rifled a shot from over 30 yards out into the top corner of the goal with 51:51 on the clock.
The offensive shootout continued as Akron jumped back ahead, 4-3, with a goal nearly 10 minutes later.
USI continued its recent high-shooting prowess from over the last few matches, but the Eagles could not tie the game once more. The Zips added an insurance goal in the 81st minute to seal the win.
The Screaming Eagles return to Strassweg Field for the start of a three-match homestand Thursday when USI hosts Eastern Michigan University at 1 p.m. Thursday’s match can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+.
All three matches of the upcoming homestand feature free admission courtesy of ProRehab.
