BOX SCORE: USI 4, SVSU 1

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana men's soccer team opened the 2010 campaign with a 4-1 victory over Saginaw Valley State University Thursday evening at Strassweg Field. USI starts the year 1-0-0 for the first time since 2007, while SVSU falls to 0-1-0.

The Screaming Eagles blasted their way to a 3-0 lead in a 13 minute span midway through the match. Freshman defender/midfielder John Rohling scored the Eagles' first goal of the year and his first as a collegiate at the 32:10 mark. He put away the rebound of a shot by senior forward Simon Rawnsley.

Rawnsley gave the Eagles a 2-0 advantage at halftime by scoring with eight seconds remaining before intermission. The senior scored his first goal of 2010 off a pass from freshman forward Kory Clawson.

USI sealed the victory shortly after halftime when sophomore forward Austin Andrekus gave the Eagles a 3-0 lead at 45:33. Andrekus scored his first goal as an Eagle off an assist by junior forward Shane Cloutier.

The Cardinals cut the Eagles' lead to 3-1 with just over five minutes to play, but senior midfielder Michael Simcock scored on a free kick to give the Eagles the 4-1 win with one minute to play.

In goal, sophomore goalkeeper Ben Dempsey posted his first win of the year. He allowed one goal and made four saves to get the win.

USI goes on the road Sunday when it opens GLVC play at Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, Kentucky. Match time is 1:30 p.m. (CDT).