University of Southern Indiana junior midfielder Sean Rickey (Columbia, Illinois) scored 24 seconds into overtime to lift the Screaming Eagles to a 3-2 victory over Davenport University Friday night in Grand Rapid, Michigan. The Screaming Eagles are off to a 2-1-0 start to 2018, while the Panthers saw their record fall to 1-2-1.
USI had the early momentum in the match and took advantage to go up, 1-0, at the 15:16 mark. Rickey put the Eagles on the scoreboard with his second goal of the season. He scored from 25 yards out after receiving a dish from sophomore forward Graham Miller (Owensboro, Kentucky).
After USI took the 1-0 lead through the intermission, the Panthers seemed to have the match going their way, but the USI defense led by sophomore goalkeeper Justin Faas (Carmel, Indiana) were able to withstand the push by Davenport. The Eagles counter-attacked and extended the lead to 2-0 when freshman defender Colten Walsh (St. Louis, Missouri) headed in a pass from Rickey at 73:58. The goal was Walsh’s second of the season.
The Panthers would rally in the final five minutes to knot the game at 2-2. Davenport cut the lead in half with a penalty kick at 84:29 and a dramatic goal with 30 seconds remaining to send the match to overtime.
In the overtime, the Eagles pushed the kickoff down the field where Rickey pushed the ball across the goal off a pass from junior defender Markus Poulsen (Denmark). Tonight’s two goals gives Rickey the team lead with three tallies in three matches.
Faas picked up his second win of the season between the posts after allowing two goals and making three saves.
The Eagles return home to open 2018 Great Lakes Valley Conference action September 14 when they host Drury University at Strassweg Field. Due to the GLVC home-road weekend, the Eagles and the Panthers will have special Friday afternoon 1 p.m. kickoff. Live coverage is available on GoUSIEagles.com.
