ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The University of Southern men's soccer team started a two-match road trip by holding on to defeat Maryville University, 2-1, Friday afternoon in St. Louis, Missouri. USI raises its record to 7-5-0 overall and 5-5-0 in the GLVC, while Maryville falls to 1-9-0, 1-8-0 GLVC.

 

The Screaming Eagles took the lead 18:44 into the first half when sophomore forward Austin Andrekus (St. Charles, Illinois) scored off an assists by junior forward Shane Cloutier (Dyer, Indiana). Andrekus' fifth tally of the season moved him into a tie with senior forward Simon Rawnsley (England) for the team lead in goals scored.

 

USI upped the lead to 2-0 in the second half on a goal by sophomore defender Jeff McClure (Indianapolis, Indiana). McClure was assisted on his second goal of the season by freshman forward Kory Clawson (Florissant, Missouri).

 

The Saints made a run at the Eagles late in the game, cutting USI's lead to 2-1 with a goal at 72:24. USI's defense buckled down the rest of the way, limiting Maryville to just three shots, one on-goal, in the final 17 minutes of the match.

 

Between the posts for USI, sophomore goalkeeper Ben Dempsey (Evansville, Indiana) made seven saves and allowed one goal to earn his fourth victory of the season. Dempsey's four wins double his win total of a year ago.

 

USI outshot Maryville, 23-18, in the match and had the advantage in corner kicks, 9-3.

 

The Eagles conclude the two-match road swing Sunday when they travel to Missouri University of Science & Technology for a 2:30 p.m. contest. Missouri S&T, which is 5-2-2 overall and 5-1-2 in the GLVC, plays Kentucky Wesleyan College tonight in Rolla, Missouri.