CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer opened Ohio Valley Conference play by earning a point Sunday afternoon, as the Screaming Eagles recorded a 1-1 draw on the road at Southeast Missouri State University. USI picked up its third consecutive result with the tie.
Southern Indiana (1-6-3, 0-0-1 OVC) wasted no time getting on the scoreboard Sunday. Following a blocked shot from the reigning OVC Offensive Player of the Week in sophomore midfielder Greta Ohlwein, it was freshman midfielder Emma Schut who took a touch off the rebound and buried the ball into the low corner of the net. The fourth-minute goal was Schut’s first career goal, putting USI ahead 1-0 in the early minutes.
While Southeast Missouri (0-6-1, 0-0-1 OVC) was able to settle back in after allowing the early goal, USI continued to create opportunities in the middle of the first half. Junior defender Charli Grafton and sophomore midfielder Pilar Torres each had a shot on goal that SEMO’s goalkeeper saved.
On Southern Indiana’s defensive end of the field, redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Anna Markland returned to make the start on Sunday. Markland made one save in the first half as the Screaming Eagles’ defense held the Redhawks to only two first-half shots to maintain a 1-0 advantage into halftime.
Southeast Missouri came out of the break aggressive and on the attack at the start of the second half. The Redhawks tied the match, 1-1, in the 54th minute after getting deep into the box and firing a shot into the right half of the goal from near the penalty spot.
As SEMO closed the gap in shot differential, Southern Indiana found itself with a prime opportunity with about 20 minutes left in the match. The Eagles forced a turnover in the Redhawks’ defensive third and Torres took off toward the goal, but Torres’ shot attempt missed by inches outside of the post.
Each side continued to mount chances while the clock elapsed. Within two minutes, the Screaming Eagles raced down the field with numbers and sophomore midfielder Reese Frericks let a shot fly inside the box from the right side that tailed outside the post. Southeast Missouri also had its final opportunities with the most dangerous one coming in the last ticks of the match. A straightaway shot attempt appeared to be heading toward the right-side netting, but Markland stretched out to her left to make a highlight save as time expired to keep the 1-1 scoreline intact.
Southern Indiana totaled nine shots with four on goal in the OVC-opening match. Torres paced USI with three shot attempts. Southeast Missouri took 10 shots with six on target. With four saves in the second half, Markland finished with five total saves on Sunday for the Eagles.
Southern Indiana continues its conference slate with a pair of home matches in the coming week, starting Thursday evening at 7 p.m. against the University of Tennessee at Martin from Strassweg Field. Links for match coverage can be found at usiscreamingeagles.com.
