EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer seized its first victory of the 2025 season Sunday afternoon when the Screaming Eagles defeated Southern Illinois University, 2-0, at Strassweg Field.
 
USI (1-5-0) posted its first shutout of the season and handed Southern Illinois (4-1-0) its first loss of the year. Before USI scored its pair of goals on Sunday, the Salukis had outscored their opponents 13-1 in the previous four matches.
 
On Sunday, the Screaming Eagles fired away 11 shots with five taken on goal. Freshmen midfielders Paulina Campos and Haley Kocher each scored their first career goals in the winning effort. USI freshmen have scored half of USI’s six goals on the season. Senior forward Emerson Grafton topped the squad with three shots against the Salukis, while redshirt sophomore forward Eva Boer notched two shot attempts.
 
Redshirt junior goalkeeper Anna Markland picked up her first clean sheet of the season behind an overall solid defensive effort, as Southern Illinois had zero shots on goal in 10 shot attempts.
 
It did not take long on Sunday for the Screaming Eagles to make some noise. USI jumped on the scoreboard in the fourth minute when Campos cleaned up a scramble in the box off a corner kick to give the Eagles an early 1-0 advantage. The energetic start continued with two more shots by USI within two minutes of scoring the opening goal.
 
Shortly after the 15-minute mark of the first half, the Salukis found some footing with one shot ricocheting off the crossbar and another blocked by the Eagles’ defense. However, the game turned into a defensive deadlock for the remainder of the opening 45 minutes, as USI went into halftime still ahead, 1-0.
 
USI came back out of halftime with the same energy it had earlier in the contest, launching four shots in the first 10 minutes of the second half. The USI midfield had a strong run in the middle of the second half, pressuring the ball and keeping possession in the attacking half of the field.
 
The Screaming Eagles’ defense continued to frustrate the Salukis, but Southern Illinois did not go down without a fight. The Salukis had a few shot attempts in the final 25 minutes, including one that grazed off the side post.
 
Down the stretch, USI had a couple of chances for an insurance goal halted by the Salukis. However, inside the final minute, the Screaming Eagles would not be denied. Following a defensive clearance off a set piece, the ball landed at Kocher’s feet, and the freshman took off on a breakaway down the field and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to seal the 2-0 triumph for USI.
 
The Screaming Eagles will conclude their homestand on Thursday when USI hosts Valparaiso University at 7 p.m. from Strassweg Field. Admission to Thursday’s match is free courtesy of ProRehab. The match can also be seen with a subscription to ESPN+.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Coming off their first win over a Power-4 opponent since 2008 on Thursday night, the University of Evansvile women’s soccer team aims to continue their strong start to the season when they host SIUE on Sunday afternoon at Arad McCutchan Stadium. Sunday’s match is part of a special weekend for the Aces’ soccer programs, with both the men’s and women’s teams hosting Alumni Weekend and celebrating the legacy of former All-American Ace and first Evansville women’s soccer coach, Mick Lyon, who passed away in January 2025 at the age of 61 following a long and courageous battle with multiple sclerosis. His story is one of fearless vision, deep community roots, and enduring impact, both on and off the field.

Originally from Lincolnshire, England, Lyon arrived at the University of Evansville in the mid-1980s on a soccer scholarship, joining the team in time to help lead a historic run to the NCAA Final Four in 1985. He was the first-ever three-time team MVP in program history and helped lead UE to a national No. 1 ranking and an NCAA Final Four appearance in 1985. Lyon graduated with a degree in physical education in 1989 and soon returned to his alma mater to coach.

In 1993, Lyon made history as the first head coach of UE women’s soccer, launching a program that would dominate the Missouri Valley Conference for the better part of a decade. Under his leadership, the Lady Aces claimed nine conference titles and three NCAA Tournament berths. Lyon was named MVC Coach of the Year three times and earned a place in the UE Athletics Hall of Fame, the MVC Hall of Fame, and the Indiana Soccer Hall of Fame.

Last Time Out
Evansville knocked off Purdue for the first time in program history on Thursday, defeating the Boilermakers by a score of 2-1 at Arad McCutchan Stadium.

Trailing 1-0 going into halftime, Ella Hamner (Evansville, Ind./Memorial) and Taylor Wehrer (Las Vegas, Nev./Desert Oasis) scored goals within a minute and a half of play in the second half to give the Aces a lead they would never relinquish.

Looking to open their home slate in grand fashion, Evansville flipped a switch following the halftime break. In the 55^th minute, Taylor Johnson (Evansville, Ind./Reitz) used her speed to create a scoring chance. Following a deflected cross from Johnson, Chrysta Vasquez (Las Vegas, Nev./Coronado) collected the ball off the right side of the goal and passed it back to Johnson, who found Hamner wide open in the middle of the box. From there, the junior buried a laser of a shot into the bottom right corner to equalize.

Less than two minutes later, the Aces threatened again, as Johnson drew a yellow card 10 yards outside the box to earn a free kick. Wehrer stepped up for the kick from 28 yards out and drilled a shot off the top post, which found the back of the goal for a bar down goal, giving the Aces a 2-1 lead.

From there, the Evansville defense was able to hold strong, withstanding a wave of Purdue attacks to secure the win.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville men’s soccer team returns home on Sunday, hosting Memphis at Arad McCutchan Stadium in a key non-conference matchup. Sunday night’s match concludes a special weekend for the Aces’ soccer programs, with both the men’s and women’s teams hosting Alumni Weekend and celebrating the legacy of former All-American Ace and first Evansville women’s soccer coach, Mick Lyon, who passed away in January 2025 at the age of 61 following a long and courageous battle with multiple sclerosis. His story is one of fearless vision, deep community roots, and enduring impact, both on and off the field.

Originally from Lincolnshire, England, Lyon arrived at the University of Evansville in the mid-1980s on a soccer scholarship, joining the team in time to help lead a historic run to the NCAA Final Four in 1985. He was the first-ever three-time team MVP in program history and helped lead UE to a national No. 1 ranking and an NCAA Final Four appearance in 1985. Lyon graduated with a degree in physical education in 1989 and soon returned to his alma mater to coach.

In 1993, Lyon made history as the first head coach of UE women’s soccer, launching a program that would dominate the Missouri Valley Conference for the better part of a decade. Under his leadership, the Lady Aces claimed nine conference titles and three NCAA Tournament berths. Lyon was named MVC Coach of the Year three times and earned a place in the UE Athletics Hall of Fame, the MVC Hall of Fame, and the Indiana Soccer Hall of Fame.

Last Time Out
Evansville suffered their first defeat of the season on Thursday, battling 15th-ranked North Carolina but coming up short by a score of 2-0.

The two sides went back-and-forth throughout the first 45 minutes, but neither team was able to break through before the half. Armon Haghighat (Irvine, Calif./Irvine Valley CC) had the best scoring chance for Evansville, putting a shot on target off his left foot, but a great save by the UNC keeper kept his clean sheet intact.

The score remained even through the first 25 minutes of the second half, with Evansville taking one shot and North Carolina taking two. However, the Tar Heels were able to put the first goal of the game on the board in the 70^th minute before scoring again in the 75^th minute to pull away for a 2-0 win.

UE plays two 5-set matches on Saturday

INDIANAPOLIS – In an exciting day that saw the University of Evansville volleyball team play in a pair of 5-set matches, the Purple Aces finished strong as they defeated Purdue Fort Wayne inside Hinkle Fieldhouse. Saturday’s opener saw the Purple Aces drop a 3-2 decision to Middle Tennessee State before rebounding to take the weekend finale.  With the opening tournament complete, the Aces set their sights on Wednesday’s home opener against Michigan State.

MATCH 2 – UE 3, PFW 2

Brooke Herdes tied for the match high with 17 kills to help the Aces take a 3-2 win over the Mastodons. Hinsley Everett and Carlotta Pascual Centelles had 15 kills apiece. Ainoah Cruz tallied 31 digs and 9 assists while Kora Ruff finished with 44 assists and 15 digs. Sabrina Ripple had a strong all-around performance as she finished with eight kills, three solo blocks, and four block assists.

Game 1 – UE 25, PFW 22

It was all Mastodons in the early moments as they opened on a 3-1 stretch before extending the lead to 12-5.  PFW’s lead reached as many as eight points (17-9) before the Aces stormed back. Back-to-back kills by Brooke Herdes saw UE cut the deficit to just three points at 19-16.

With PFW continuing to hold a 3-point lead at 22-19, Evansville clawed back once again scoring the final six points to take the set.  Everett got things going with a kill while four consecutive errors put UE in front at 24-22.  Sabrina Ripple’s solo block clinched the set and a 1-0 UE lead.

Game 2 – UE 30, PFW 28

Purdue Fort Wayne had another big start, taking a 5-2 lead to open the set. They added to their edge, going up 13-7. That is when Evansville made its move. A 10-3 rally turned that deficit into a 17-16 lead. Herdes notched three kills during the rally. After the Mastodons retook a 20-19 edge, UE fought back to take a 23-22 lead on a kill by Ripple.  The teams continued to swap the lead before Carlotta Pascual Centelles and Ripple combined on a block and Everett followed with a kill to seal a 30-28 win.

Game 3 – PFW 25, UE 23

Looking to finish the match in three sets, the Aces scored the first three points with Maddie Hawkins recording a service ace. Throughout the middle portion of the set, both teams took multiple leads. Kendall Agler’s ace tied things up at 22-22 before PFW picked up the next two tallies.  Kora Ruff and Chloe Cline assisted on a block, but the Mastodons clinched the set with a 25-23 win.

Game 4 – PFW 25, UE 19

Building on the momentum from their win in the third, PFW stormed out to a 10-2 lead in the fourth game. They continued to hold a solid lead up 20-12 before Evansville made things interesting. Pascual Centelles notched a kill that cut the deficit to just three at 21-18 before the Mastodons regrouped to force a fifth set.

Game 5 – UE 15, PFW 7

Kills by Lexi Owen, Everett, and Ripple helped the Aces jump out to a 3-1 lead. After the Mastodons tied the score at 4-4, UE countered with four in a row to go up 8-4. Herdes had two kills during the rally. As UE zeroed in on the victory, it was Chloe Cline taking control as she recorded four kills, a solo block, and block assist to put her team in front 14-7.  An ace by Herdes clinched the match for UE.

MATCH 1 – MTSU 3, UE 2

Hinsley Everett finished with 17 kills while Ryan Scheu added 15 in a 5-set contest to open the day. Kora Ruff tallied 41 assists and 14 digs while Ainoah Cruz led all players with 29 digs. Three Middle Tennessee State players had double figure kills with Payton Deidesheimer posting 15.

Game 1 – UE 25, MTSU 23

Middle Tennessee State opened the match on a 3-1 run and would hold the lead throughout the early portion of the contest.  Evansville took advantage of a Blue Raider error to tie things up for the first time at 9-9.  Josdarilee Caraballo registered a pair of kills that put Evansville in the lead for the first time at 14-13.\

Neither team led by more than two points in a competitive set that saw the squads swap the lead on multiple occasions down the stretch. After MTSU went up 22-21, a kill by Scheu saw UE retake a 23-22 edge.  After the Blue Raiders tied the score, Caraballo picked up another kill before a MTSU error gave UE the win.

Game 2 – MTSU 25, UE 20

Another quick start saw the Blue Raiders open a 7-3 lead out of the gate. Two in a row by UE got them within a pair, but MTSU retook control as they opened a 19-12 advantage. Evansville closed within four points on a few occasions, but the Blue Raiders held strong to tie the match.

Game 3 – MTSU 26, UE 24

Early in the third frame, UE had control with two Everett kills putting her team up 6-3. The Blue Raiders rallied to tie the score at 9-9 but UE wrestled away a 15-12 edge on another Everett kill.  The defining stretch came at that time when MTSU scored six points in a row to go up 18-15. Evansville stormed back to tie things up at 20-20 with Scheu registering the kill.  An error by the Blue Raiders gave UE set point at 24-23, but a late spurt saw MTSU score the final three points to take the set.

Game 4 – UE 25, MTSU 19

Playing its best set of the match, UE opened the fourth on a 4-2 run led for the majority of the frame. After MTSU took a 6-5 edge, the Aces scored four in a row to go up 9-6 with Everett and Scheu picking up kills. An error by the Blue Raiders led to a 17-11 edge for the Aces and the squad never looked back. Chloe Cline picked up the clinching kill to force a fifth set.

Game 5 – MTSU 15, UE 7

Middle Tennessee State scored five of the opening six points and pulled away to take the match on the strength of a 15-7 win in the final set. After trailing by five in the early moments, the Aces cut the deficit to four but could not get any closer.