EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer opened Ohio Valley Conference play with a 2-1 win over Eastern Illinois University Sunday afternoon at Strassweg Field. The Screaming Eagles, who are 2-2-0 during the homestand, are 2-7-0 overall and 1-0-0 in the OVC, while the Panthers go to 1-5-2, 0-1-0 OVC.
USI sophomore forward Jackson Mitchell gave the Eagles an early 1-0 lead with a breakaway goal at 9:57. Mitchell, who scored his second goal of the year and for the second-straight match, was assisted on the play by senior midfielder Elmer Garcia and freshman forward David Davilla.
The Eagles held the 1-0 lead through the intermission. USI was dominant for the first 45 minutes, outshooting EIU, 8-4 (5-2 on-goal), and had the advantage in corner kicks, 3-1.
In the second half, the Panthers found the back of the Eagles’ goal at 66:47, knotting the score at 1-1. USI would respond with the game-winner 10 minutes later when senior defender Brock Martindale scored to give the Eagles a 2-1 lead.
Martindale was assisted on his first USI career goal by freshman midfielder Ahiro Nakamae and sophomore midfielder Will Kirchhofer.
The USI defense would make the 2-1 lead stand up for the final 14 minutes, limiting EIU to only two off-goal shots. The Eagles also had a 10-6 lead in shots during the second half, while the Panthers led in corner kicks, 3-2.
Between the posts, sophomore goalkeeper Andrew Klott posted his second-straight win. Klott faced a total of 10 shots, allowing one goal and making four saves.
NEXT UP FOR USI:
The Eagles conclude the five-match homestand Thursday at 1 p.m. when they host Lindenwood University for an OVC match at Strassweg Field. Lindenwood is 4-4-1 overall and 0-1-0 in the OVC after falling to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Saturday, 2-0, at Edwardsville.
USI and Lindenwood are tied 3-3-0 in the all-time series between the two schools. The Eagles split the series with the Lions last year, falling in St. Charles, Missouri, 1-0, but bouncing back to win at Strassweg Field, 4-2, to end the season.
