EVANSVILLE, IN – The University of Southern Indiana enters 2012 at full strength and match-ready.
The Screaming Eagles were 5-11-2 in 2011 after suffering through a rough, injury-plagued season. USI lost six potential starters to season-ending injuries in the first few weeks of last year, but all six should be available for the start of this fall.
Playing in the GLVC, one of the toughest men's soccer conferences in the NCAA Division II, the Eagles battled through the injuries and came on strong at the end of the 2011 season. USI, which was 4-9-2 in the GLVC, went 4-2-1 in the final seven games of the year and outscored the opposition, 26-11.
Building on 2011's season-ending run, the Eagles eagerly await the opening of the 2012 season since they return all 35 of the last year's goals and 22 of the 25 players.
Leading the way for the Eagles' offense is junior forward
Rush Dugger (Hanson, Kentucky). Dugger had a team-best 20 points on a team-high and career-high nine goals and two assists.
Following Dugger among the returners is senior forward
Austin Andrekus (St. Charles, Illinois) and senior forward
Jeffrey McClure (Indianapolis, Indiana), who had 18 points and 17 points, respectively, in 2011. Andrekus posted his 18 points on six goals and six assists last fall, while McClure recorded his 17 points on five goals and a team-best seven assists.
The Eagles open the 2012 schedule at home when they host Cedarville University at 7 p.m. Thursday. Cedarville finished 2011 with a 14-6-3 overall record and placed third in the National Christian College Athletic Association national tournament. Junior forward Timmy Waller is the top returning scorer for the Yellow Jackets with 18 points on six goals and six assists last fall.
Thursday's match up at Strassweg Field is the first between the two programs.
USI concludes the season-opening two-match homestand when the Mighty Oaks of Oakland City University visits Strassweg at 7 p.m. Saturday. The Mighty Oaks were 11-6-3 overall in 2011, including 3-1 win over the Eagles in Oakland City. The Eagles, however, lead the all-time series with OCU, 3-1-2.
Leading the way for OCU is senior midfielder Nick Little, who had 20 points on five goals and 10 assists.
