Etienne climbs the USI record books Thursday at SEMOV

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer senior goalkeeper Maya Etienne (Midland, Michigan) placed her name third all-time for career saves in USI history Thursday night, collecting a season-high 12 saves. Unfortunately, for the Screaming Eagles, Southeast Missouri State University picked up the 1-0 win, scoring the game-winner in the final seconds.
 
The first half started with Southeast Missouri getting three shots on goal in the first 15 minutes, and all three were saved by Etienne. The three early saves moved her into sole possession of third all-time for career saves in the USI record books. Etienne tallied five saves total in the first 45 minutes.
 
Sophomore Adriana Berruti (Berwyn, Illinois), senior midfielder Jill DiTusa (St. Charles, Illinois), and sophomore defender Maggie Duggan (Defiance, Missouri) were responsible for USI’s three shots in the first half. The Screaming Eagles also earned three corner kicks in the opening half.
 
With neither defense budging through the first two-thirds of the match, the physicality of the contest ramped up in the second half. Through 60 minutes, there were a combined 22 fouls between the two schools.
 
The 0-0 battle continued, as Etienne continued to stand tall in goal for USI against a persistent attack by Southeast Missouri. The senior from Midland, Michigan made her seventh save of the second half and season-high 12^th save in the 70^th minute.
 
Both squads utilized their roster depth midway into the second half, trying to find fresh legs from their substitutions to spark energy on the offensive end.
 
Minutes after Duggan’s second shot of the night, senior forward Taylor Hall (Grayson, Kentucky) took a chance on goal with just under six minutes remaining, but the shot was saved by SEMO’s freshman goalkeeper Sophia Elfrink.
 
As the seconds ticked down and the urgency increased, Southeast Missouri found the back of the net on a goal in the final seconds by freshman forward Cayla Koerner, resulting in the 1-0 final. Koerner led the Redhawks with five shots and three on goal in the match.
 
Overall, USI placed three of six shots on target with five corner kicks. Southeast Missouri finished with 13 of 19 shots on frame and three corner kicks. There was a total of 29 fouls between the two teams.
 
Duggan led the Screaming Eagles with two shots and tied Hall and junior forward Morgan Beyer (Rossford, Ohio) with a shot on goal each.
 
Etienne’s 12 saves surpassed her previous season-high of eight saves, which came earlier in October against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. A dozen saves were also the second-most in her career, three off the career-best 15 stops she made in November 2019 against Grand Valley State University.
 
Thursday’s results moved USI to 4-7-4 overall and 0-5-2 in Ohio Valley Conference play. Southeast Missouri improved its record to 7-6-2 overall and 3-2-2 in the OVC.
 
Next, the Screaming Eagles will close out the regular season Sunday at 1 p.m. against Eastern Illinois on Senior Day from Strassweg Field. USI Women’s Soccer seniors will be recognized before kickoff. Thanks to The Women’s Hospital Deaconess, admission to Sunday’s home match is free. Sunday’s match will be a must-win scenario for USI to keep its hopes to get into the 2022 OVC Women’s Championship Tournament, sitting two points back of Sunday’s opponent in Eastern Illinois. Only the top eight from the OVC make it to the conference tournament.