SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – University of Southern Indiana sophomore midfielder Sean Rickey (Columbia, Illinois) scored with 17 seconds left in overtime to lift the Screaming Eagles to a 2-1 victory over the University of Illinois Springfield Sunday afternoon in Springfield, Illinois. The Eagles rise to 4-5-0 overall and 2-5-0 in the GLVC, while Illinois Springfield sees its record go to 5-4-1 overall and 5-2-1 in the league.
Rickey deposited the game-winning goal at 99:40 from five yards out as the Prairie Stars tried to clear the ball. The goal was Rickey’s team-high fifth of the season.
USI jumped out in front early, 1-0, when sophomore forward Eric Ramirez (Vincennes, Indiana) put the Eagles on top at 2:22. Ramirez, who posted his second goal of the year, scored on a breakaway up the middle on a through-ball by senior midfielder Cesar Alba(Hanover Park, Illinois).
In the second half, the Prairie Stars waited until 88:47 to get the equalizer and knot the match at 1-1. That would set the stage for Rickey and the Eagles in overtime.
Between the posts, senior goalkeeper Adam Zehme (Orland Park, Illinois) marked his fourth win over the year. Zehme allowed one goal, while facing 15 shots and making eight saves.
The Eagles return to the friendly surroundings of Strassweg Field Friday evening when they host Quincy University for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff and start a two-match homestand. USI concludes the upcoming homestand next Sunday (October 8) against Truman State University.
