The University of Southern Indiana women’s soccer team broke a three-match losing streak with a 3-1 victory over Lewis University Sunday afternoon at Strassweg Field. USI watches its record rise to 5-4-0, 2-4-0 Great Lakes Valley Conference, while Lewis goes to 4-4-1, 2-3-1 GLVC.
The Screaming Eagles struck for a pair of first half goals and carried a 2-0 lead to halftime. Junior midfielder Carlie Scales (Evansville, Indiana) recorded her second goal of the year and gave USI a 1-0 lead at 12:51, scoring off a pass from senior defender Kelsey Smith (Evansville, Indiana).
USI would increase the margin to 2-0 at 14:47 when sophomore forward Ryley Hancock  (Evansville, Indiana) broke through the Lewis defense for her third goal of the year. Hancock was assisted by on the play by sophomore forward Kennedy Moore (Evansville, Indiana) and senior midfielder Kaelin Martlock(Bay City, Michigan).
The two first half goals broke a 293 minute scoreless streak by the Eagles.
In the second half, Lewis cut the USI margin in half, 2-1, on a goal at 49:35 before the  Eagles bounced back to regain the two-goal lead, 3-1, on a tally by sophomore defender Olivia Wilde (Racine, Wisconsin) at 62:33. Wilde’s fourth tally of the year tied her for the team-lead in goals with senior forward Gabriella Korte (St. Louis, Missouri).
Between the posts, senior goalkeeper Courtney Lofland (Indianapolis, Indiana) recorded her team-best third victory of the year. Lofland allowed one goal and made two saves in the win.
USI hits the road next weekend when it travels to Saint Joseph’s College Friday and the University of Indianapolis Sunday. Match time versus Saint Joseph’s in Rensselaer, Indiana, is set for 5 p.m., while kick-off at UIndy in Indianapolis is slated for 11 a.m. (CDT).
The Eagles return to the friendly surroundings of Strassweg Field October 7 when they start a home weekend against William Jewell College. USI concludes the short two-match homestand October 9 when it hosts Rockhurst University.
