EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer sophomore defender Charli Grafton (Sunriver, Oregon) and sophomore goalkeeper Anna Markland (Hoover, Alabama) claimed Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week honors on Tuesday. Grafton was named OVC co-Defensive Player of the Week and Markland was named co-Goalkeeper of the Week for the second consecutive week.
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Grafton picks up her first accolade of the season, while Markland has her second. Grafton and Markland helped lead USI’s defensive unit to a second consecutive 1-1 tie last Thursday against the University of Kansas City, pushing USI’s unbeaten streak to three matches. Against a potent offense from the Roos, Grafton and Markland kept the match low scoring.
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In the centerback position, Grafton won 70 percent of her defensive duels and 100 percent of aerial duels. Plus, Grafton had nine clearances, eight interceptions, three blocked shots, and a 70 percent distribution rate out of the back in a full 90 minutes against Kansas City.
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Between the posts, Markland had another sensational performance in goal for USI last Thursday to get the road result to conclude the non-conference season. On her toes from the opening kickoff, Markland made a career-best nine saves. Markland was strong in facing 28 shots by the Roos, the most shot attempts the Screaming Eagles have seen this season.
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On the season, Grafton has started every match and played every minute so far. Markland has also started all nine matches, posting a 1.27 GAA with 36 saves. She ranks second in the OVC in GAA and fifth in saves.
Grafton, Markland and the Eagles (1-5-3) open conference play in the OVC on Thursday against the University of Arkansas at Little Rock at 6 p.m. The match begins a two-game road swing this weekend to start conference play for USI, who will visit Tennessee Tech University on Sunday.
Both matchups this weekend can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+. Additional coverage links are on the USI Women’s Soccer schedule page on usiscreamingeagles.com.
