EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- The University of Southern Indiana men's soccer team dropped its season opener to Marian College, 2-1, Thursday evening at Strassweg Field. USI goes to 0-1-0, while Marian starts the year 1-0-0.

Marian scored the first tally 13:16 into the season when midfielder Michael Foerster scored an unassisted goal. The Knights would take that 1-0 lead into halftime.

The Screaming Eagles had a chance to tie the score just before the intermission when sophomore forward Simon Rawnsley (England) missed an opportunity with Marian goalkeeper James Dulhanty out of position. Dulhanty would stop Rawnsley three more times in the second half.

The Knights increased their lead to 2-0 at the 53:54 mark when Marian forward T.J. Rauch blasted a rebounding shot into the back of the Eagles' goal. Knights' midfielder Gabriel Peters had the initial shot and was credited with the assist.

USI cut the Marian lead in half when sophomore midfielder Justin Fox (Avon, Indiana) scored on a penalty kick after the Knights were call for a foul inside the box. The Eagles built momentum after the Fox goal, but could not get the ball past Dulhanty. The Knights' goalkeeper made seven saves in the game.

USI resumes the four-match homestand on Labor Day when it hosts Kentucky Wesleyan College to start the GLVC schedule. Match time at Strassweg Field is 6 p.m. The USI-KWC match-up will be the season opener for the Panthers.