EVANSVILLE, Ind.– University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer closed out its five-game homestand with a 3-0 loss to Belmont University Wednesday evening at Strassweg Field.
The Screaming Eagles conclude the homestand with a 1-4 record, with a 1-0 win over Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology on August 26. USI scored three goals in the five games, one against Rose-Hulman and two in a loss to Indiana University Indianapolis on September 6.
The Bruins’ potent offense was on display early, possessing the ball for the majority of the first half. USI held them off the board until the 30th minute, when they snuck a ball past junior goalkeeper Kael McGowan.
At the half, USI trailed only 1-0 despite the relentless Belmont pressure. The Eagles trailed in total shots, 11-4, and shots on goal, 4-1. Sophomore forward David Davila put up a team-high two shots in the first half, while freshman midfielder Nolan Stevens recorded the team’s only shot on goal. In his first start as an Eagle, McGowan tallied three saves through the first 45.
Belmont came out of the break firing, scoring two goals at the 59:42 and 63:49 marks of the match. The Bruins continued to dominate the possession battle, allowing the Eagles only two second-half shots, neither on goal.
For the game, the Eagles were outshot 18-6 from the field and 8-1 on goal. Davila led the Eagles with two shots, while Stevens recorded the only shot on goal. McGowan recorded three saves over his 68 minutes, getting replaced by freshman goalkeeper Jacob English, who held the Bruins scoreless over his 22 minutes with two saves.
The Eagles hit the road for the first time since the season-opener, traveling north for a matchup with former Great Lakes Valley Conference foe Purdue Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on September 23. Then, on September 27, USI travels to Lynchburg, Virginia, for the Ohio Valley Conference opener with Liberty University.
