The University of Southern Indiana women’s soccer team completed a homestand sweep by defeating University of Illinois Springfield, 1-0, Friday evening at Strassweg Field. USI goes to 4-3-2 overall and 3-1-1 in the GLVC, while Illinois Springfield sees its record go to 1-6-2, 1-4-0 GLVC.
The Screaming Eagles got the 1-0 lead and eventual game-winning goal at 32:36 of the opening half when junior forward Emilie Blomenkamp (Smithton, Illinois) sent the ball over the defense and into the back of the Illinois Springfield goal. Blomenkamp was assisted on her second goal of the season by senior forward Ryley Hancock(Evansville, Indiana).
USI would make the 1-0 lead stand up through the final 12 minutes of the opening half before completing the shutout by blanking Illinois Springfield in the 45 minutes of the second half. The Eagles also controlled the second half with a 6-2 advantage in shots and a 6-1 margin in corner kicks.
USI senior goalkeeper Emily Hopkins (Greenfield, Indiana) posted her third-straight shutout for the Eagles between the posts. Hopkins, who moves into fourth all-time at USI with 15 career shutouts, faced a total of six shots and made three saves in the victory.
The Eagles hit the road and will visit McKendree University at noon Sunday in Lebanon, Illinois. McKendree saw its record go to 6-1-1 overall and 3-1-1 GLVC after defeating Drury University, 2-0, this evening in Springfield, Missouri.
McKendree leads USI all-time, 8-5-1, since the series began in 1997. The Bearcats also have the advantage in the last five match-ups, winning four and tying the Eagles once.
