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HOT JOBS
USI MSOC goes to EIU Saturday
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer concludes a three-match road swing Saturday when it visits Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
The Screaming Eagles (2-12-1, 1-5-1 OVC), currently, are seventh in the Ohio Valley Conference, two points out of the league’s playoff picture with three matches to play. USI is two points behind sixth-place Western Illinois University (2-5-0 OVC; six points) and within striking distance of fifth-place University of the Incarnate Word (2-2-3 OVC; nine points).
The top six teams advance to the OVC Championship at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville November 10-16.
Following this week’s road match, the Eagles finish the regular season with a split home and away week. USI’s final home match of 2024 is October 31 versus Southern Illinois University Edwardsville at 6 p.m. and November 3 at 1 p.m. The USI-SIUE match on Halloween will feature a pre-game Trunk or Treat for children and a halftime costume contest for USI students.
USI fans can attend all Men’s Soccer 2024 home matches for free, courtesy of a sponsorship from ProRehab. Game coverage for 2024, including links to live stats and video streams, can be found on USIScreamingEagles.com.
USI Men’s Soccer Week 9 Notes:
USI 0-for-2 to start road swing: The USI Screaming Eagles lost its second-straight on the road, falling to Liberty University, 5-0. USI was outgunned in shots, 20-10.
Eagles falter late to start road trip. The Eagles started the road trip with a 2-0 loss to Western Illinois, allowing two goals in the final 10 minutes of the match in Macomb, Illinois.
USI looking for offense: USI is in a scoring drought and searching for offense. The Eagles have not scored in the last 550 minutes of action, since posting a 2-1 win over Eastern Illinois University on September 29.
Leading the offense: The Eagles are led offensively by freshman midfielder Ahiro Nakamae, who has seven points on three goals and one assist. Sophomore forward Jackson Mitchell follows with six points on two goals and two assists.
In the OVC: Freshman midfielder Ahiro Nakamae is tied for eighth in the OVC overall with three goals scored. Sophomore goalkeeper Andrew Klott is tied for sixth in the OVC with one shutout and leads the OVC with 85 saves (5.67 per match).
EIU in 2024: The Panthers of EIU are 2-10-1 overall and 1-6-0 in the OVC during 2024. EIU defeated Western Illinois University, 2-1, last weekend for its first win over the season in the OVC.
USI vs. EIU: USI won the first meeting of the season with EIU, 2-1, at Strassweg Field, but trails in the all-time series,10-3-0. USI sophomore forward Jackson Mitchell put USI on the scoreboard in the first half, while senior defender Brock Martindale scored the game-winner in the second half.
SIUE in 2024: The SIUE Cougars are nearly perfect in the OVC this year, going 5-1-1, and have a 7-4-3 overall record. SIUE won its first five conference matches before tying Incarnate Word Thursday and losing to Houston Christian University Sunday.
USI vs. SIUE: SIUE has dominated the all-time series with USI, 16-3-1, since the 1970s. The Cougars took the first meeting this fall, 2-0, scoring a goal in each half.
THUNDERBOLTS HOST HAVOC ON SATURDAY, RIVERMEN NEXT TUESDAY MORNING
Evansville, In.: Following a pair of very close losses against the Knoxville Ice Bears this past weekend, the Thunderbolts make their first road trip to Birmingham to take on the Bulls this Friday night before returning to Ford Center to host the Huntsville Havoc on Saturday for Hockey Horrors Night and the Peoria Rivermen next Tuesday, October 29th for the annual Education Day morning game.
Week In Review:
The Thunderbolts built up a 2-0 lead on Friday night off goals from Scott Kirton and Bronson Adams before the Ice Bears rallied to tie the game and win in overtime, 3-2. On Saturday, Benjamin Lindberg and Tyson Gilmour provided goals in a 3-2 regulation loss. In goal, Cole Ceci stopped 48 of 51 shots on Friday, while Ty Taylor stopped 31 of 33 shots on Saturday.
The Week Ahead:
The Thunderbolts will be in Birmingham this Friday night to take on the Bulls at 7:05pm CT. Fans can watch the action on FloHockey with a paid subscription or listen in for free on the Thunderbolts Mixlr Channel. This Saturday, the Thunderbolts will host the Huntsville Havoc for Hockey Horrors Night, featuring specialty glow-in-the-dark Halloween jerseys worn by the players that will be auctioned off after the game. Joining us before the game will be some frightful friends, courtesy of Evansville Nightmare Factory. On Tuesday, October 29th, the Thunderbolts will host their annual Education Day morning game as they take on the Peoria Rivermen starting at 10:00am CT. All student/chaperone tickets are only $7 each, with a free Education Day Booklet included with each ticket for Grades 6 and under.
THUNDERBOLTS SIGN FORWARD MATTHEW BARNABY JR
Evansville, In.: The Evansville Thunderbolts and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Jeff Bes are pleased to announce the signing of forward Matthew Barnaby Jr. for the 2024-25 season. The Thunderbolts’ next home game at Ford Center will be this Saturday, October 26th against the Huntsville Havoc.
Barnaby played for the Thunderbolts during the 2019-20 season before the COVID shutdown occurred. During the 2019-20 season, Barnaby tallied 14 goals and 34 points in 44 games, including 3 power play goals. Due to the Thunderbolts going inactive during the 2020-2021 season due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Barnaby signed with the Huntsville Havoc, tallying 12 goals and 25 points in 23 games played. The Buffalo, New York native spent two seasons in the ECHL between the Fort Wayne Komets and the Orlando Solar Bears before heading to Finland to play with Rovaniemen Kiekko (RoKi) in the Mestis league.
“I’m super excited and I’m looking to contribute in any way I can. There’s a great group of guys here and I couldn’t be more excited to play for Jeff Bes again.” replied Barnaby when asked about how it feels to be back with the Thunderbolts.
“We’re excited to have Matthew come back to Evansville. He certainly brings energy, skill and commitment to our team and our organization,” said Jeff Bes about the signing of Matthew Barnaby Jr. “We can’t wait to see what he does on the ice. Matthew is a great kid, and the fans are going to love him.
Wes Carroll inks contract extension with Evansville
Wes Carroll inks contract extension with Evansville
Carroll heads into year 17 leading the Purple Aces
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Following a historic postseason run in 2024 University of Evansville Director of Athletics Ziggy Siegfried has announced a five-year extension for baseball head coach Wes Carroll.
Coach Carroll has brought unprecedented national exposure and acclaim to our University, Community, and all Purple Aces,” says Siegfried. “He is an outstanding leader, an individual who can recruit at the highest level, and he understands how to create the best possible environment for our student-athletes to thrive. He is and will always be a Purple Ace, and I am so proud to have him as the leader of our baseball program for years to come.”
Under the direction of Coach Carroll, the Purple Aces made their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 18 years and won the program’s first-ever NCAA Regional in the 2024 season. In 2024 Carroll guided UE to a 39-26 overall record. The Purple Aces swept all four games in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament to claim the MVC’s automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. UE then won the program’s first-ever NCAA Regional Tournament title by winning the Greenville (N.C.) Regional to advance to the program’s first-ever NCAA Super Regional.
In the Knoxville Super Regional, Evansville pushed the No. 1 national seed, Tennessee, to the brink of elimination, as the Purple Aces forced the ‘if necessary’ game three with a 10-8 victory over the Volunteers. It was one of only two losses that Tennessee suffered in the NCAA Tournament on its way to the 2024 national championship.
Over the course of 16 seasons with Evansville, Caroll has a 428-434 record, was named the 2024 ABCA/ATEC Midwest Regional Coach of the Year, a two-time MVC Dan Callahan Coach of the Year, coached two All-Americans, one MVC Player of the Year, two MVC Pitchers of the Year, two MVC Freshman of the Year, and one MVC Defensive Player of the Year, six All-Region players, two CSC All-District players, and 19 All-MVC First Team selections.
Carroll coached the Aces for 16 years and was a standout shortstop for UE from 1998 to 2001. Carroll grew up minutes from the UE campus in nearby Newburgh, Indiana. He watched his older brother and Major League alum, Jamey Carroll, excel at shortstop for UE. He later got to experience the success the program is capable of first-hand as a four-year starter for the Purple Aces and a member of UE’s 2000 NCAA Tournament team.
Wes Carroll became UE’s first Freshman All-America selection in 1998, thanks to a rookie campaign in which he hit .355 with 18 doubles, two home runs, and 39 runs batted in. Carroll went on to hit .299 or better in each of his four years at UE, and finished his career by setting the school’s all-time career record for doubles (74), while also ranking in the school’s career top 10 in six different categories. He still holds the record for career doubles, has the second-most base hits in school history with 308, and ranks 10th all-time in UE history with a .339 career batting average. Carroll earned all-conference and all-region honors on the UE infield during his four-year career, before being named to the Missouri Valley Conference’s All-Centennial Team in 2007 as one of the top players in league history.
Carroll graduated from UE in 2001 with a degree in Human Kinetics and Sport Studies. Wes and his wife, Ashley, a former soccer standout at the University of Evansville, reside in Evansville with their two children.
Bannister and Goebel finish top-25, as USI completes the Xavier Invitational
CINCINNATI, OH.– University of Southern Indiana Men’s Golf finished the Xavier Invitational in 12th place Tuesday afternoon at the Maketewah Country Club in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Screaming Eagles shot 904 (307-297-300) over the 56-hole tournament. USI finished five strokes behind, Ohio Valley Conference rival, Tennessee Tech University for 11th place.
USI had two golfers finish in the top 25. Senior Jason Bannister was once again impressive, earning a 10th-place finish following a 216 (71-76-69) stroke performance. Junior Carter Goebel shot 219 (74-68-77) over the two-day event, earning him 21st place on the leaderboard.
Round 1
The Eagles struggled early in the tournament, shooting their highest round total as a team with 307 (+27). Bannister topped the scorecard with a 71 (+1) in round one.
Round 2
As a team, USI saw its best round by shooting 297 (+17) in round two. Goebel executed the team’s best 18 holes of the tournament with his 68 (-2) in the second round.
This round saw multiple Eagles improve their initial scores. Senior Sam Vertanen‘s 73 (+3) improved his score by four strokes, while freshman Jairen Stroud‘s 80 (+10) improved by five.
Round 3
Bannister cemented his 10th-place finish in the final round, shooting a 69 (-1) in the third round. USI shot 300 (+20) as a team in the final round.
What’s next for the Eagles:
USI concludes its fall schedule in Owensboro, Kentucky at the Bill Crabtree Invitational hosted by Kentucky Wesleyan on October 28-29.
Standtke rallies to earn top finish for women’s golf
Aces take 4th at Braun Intercollegiate
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Freshman Louise Standtke was the low scorer for the University of Evansville women’s golf team in Tuesday’s final round of the Braun Intercollegiate.
Standtke finished the second 18 holes at Oak Meadow Country Club with a 4-over 76 to finish the tournament in a tie for second place with a 151. Indiana State’s Yang Tai was the tournament medalist with a 2-round score of 147. Standtke wrapped up Monday’s opening round with a 75.
Coming home in a tie for 9th place was Kate Petrova and Mallory Russell. Both completed the weekend with scores of 154. Russell carded an 80 on Tuesday while Petrova finished with an 82. Trinity Dubbs and Izzy Steele completed the Purple Aces’ “A” team. Dubbs’ 83 in the second round tied her for 56th with a 169 while Steele checked in with a final score of 177.
Pacing the UE “B” team was Elizabeth Mercer. Following an 80 to open the event, she recorded an 82 in the final round to tie for 36th with a 162. Jane Grankina was one behind Mercer with a 163. She tied for 40th. Adeline Wittmer and Mia Cruz rounded out the second squad with final totals of 185 and 189.
UE took 4th place in the final team standings with a 626. Indiana State pulled away from the field to win with a score of 611, defeating runner-up Belmont by ten strokes.
Eagles struggle closing sets falling in three frames to Skyhawks
MARTIN, Tenn.– University of Southern Indiana Volleyball (8-14, OVC 3-7) struggled to to finish sets on Tuesday night against University of Tennessee at Martin (4-13, OVC 2-6) falling in straight sets (21-25, 21-25, 23-25). The Screaming Eagles drop their fifth straight match heading into the bye weekend.
Set 1: USI 21, UTM 25
The Eagles came out the gate strong as sophomore Leah Coleman, junior Bianca Anderson, senior Paris Downing, and senior Jasmine Green were involved with early kills leading 8-4. USI struggled with limiting runs as the Skyhawks surged with seven straight points taking a 14-10 lead. Anderson helped the Eagles regain a one-point lead with a textbook block. However, UTM finished the set on an 8-3 run earning the early advantage. Senior Carly Sobieralski tallied 11 assists on 7 digs.
Set 2: USI 21, UTM 25
Downing and Green combined at the net for a block giving the Eagles a 9-8 advantage. The Skyhawks bounced back with three straight points, but sophomore Ashby Willis smashed back-to-back kills tying the set at 13-13. Nevertheless, UTM used a four-point run to separate themselves with strong defensive play, frustrating the USI offense. The Skyhawks put the Eagles in a two-set deficit finishing on a 4-1 run.
Set 3: USI 25, UTM 23
Coleman finished her team leading eighth kill to help the Eagles gain an early 7-4 lead. The Sobieralski to Willis connection extended the Eagle led to 9-5. The Skyhawks erased their large deficit mounting an eight-point run snatching a 15-14 lead. Green showed her senior leadership keeping the Eagles under control vocally along with smashing a kill earning a 19-17 lead. However, USI continued to struggle finishing sets as the Skyhawks finished the match with a 6-2 run.
Coleman led offensively with nine kills. Sobieralski racked up 29 assists on 13 digs, while Moore led defensively with 15 digs. Moore has snatched 15+ digs in her past nine matches. Anderson swatted a career high and Eagles season high eight blocks.
As a team, USI finished with 34 kills, 33 assists, 58 digs, one aces, ten blocks, and a .170 attacking percentage. The Skyhawks earned 51 kills, 46 assists, 55 digs, six aces, eight blocks, and a .216 hitting percentage.
Next up for the Eagles
USI moves into a bye weekend as they return on November 1 at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
USI freshman shine in seventh place finish at Braun Intercollegiate
EVANSVILLE, Ind.- University of Southern Indiana Women’s Golf finished in seventh place at the highly competitive 13-team Braun Intercollegiate, hosted by University of Evansville at Oak Meadow Country Club.
All 13 teams competed in a two day 36-hole event with five golfers competing in 18 holes both days taking the four best scores. The order of finish included: Indiana State University, Belmont University, Oakland University, Evansville, University of Illinois-Chicago, University of Purdue-Fort Wayne, USI, Lindenwood University, Bellarmine University, Valparaiso University, Indiana Hills Community College, Eastern Illinois University, and Evansville B squad.
The Screaming Eagles concluded their fall season making a pivotal step forward in the program improving from last season’s 11th place finish at the Braun Intercollegiate.
Round 1
After day one, USI sat in sixth place shooting a 322 (+34). The freshman trio of Zhana Navato, Fernanda Vera, and Jade Blakeley displayed consistent performances all shooting a 79 (+7). Freshman Brianna Kirsch rounded out the scoring with an 85 (+13).
Round 2
As a team, USI improved by three strokes on Tuesday finishing with a 319 (+31). The Eagles finished above common Ohio Valley Conference opponents Lindenwood and Eastern Illinois.
Navato delivered once again with another strong 79 (+7) performance, finishing the weekend tied for 14th overall at 158 (+14). The freshman finished her fall averaging a 79 in eight total rounds. Vera ranked second among USI competitors and tied for 22nd in the field with a 159 (+15). Vera’s first round marked the seventh time in 16 rounds she has broken 80. The freshman also concludes the fall averaging a 79 through 14 rounds.
Blakeley totaled ten pars on Tuesday’s round, finishing with an 81 (+9) on the day. She closes out the fall season tied in 26th with a 160 (+16). Blakeley averaged a score of 82 in 14 rounds. Kirsch made a six-stroke improvement shooting a 79 (+7), finishing tied for 44th with a respectable 164 (+20). The freshman joins Vera and Navato, averaging a 79 on the fall schedule in 14 rounds.