EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana men's soccer team wants a strong finish to its longest road trip of the year when they travel to St. Louis, Missouri, to visit Maryville University Friday and the University of Missouri-St. Louis Sunday. Kickoff Friday at Maryville (1-10-0, 1-9-0 GLVC) is 1 p.m., while the start time at UMSL (6-6-0, 5-5-0 GLVC) is 2:30 p.m.
Following the conclusion of the road swing, the Eagles (4-6-2, 3-6-1 GLVC) host their final homestand of the regular season October 25 and October 27 when USI hosts Truman State University and Quincy University, respectively.
WEEK 7 EAGLE NOTES:
Eagles find momentum in Week 6: The Eagles have found some momentum in the last two weeks, including a 1-1 double-overtime tie at 11th-ranked Lewis last Friday and a 3-0 win at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside last Sunday.
USI in the 2013 GLVC: USI is sitting in 12th place in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, but is still in the hunt for a trip to the league's post-season tournament. The Eagles need to make up a 2.5 match deficit in the next five games to make their second-straight post-season appearance.
Neidlinger named GLVC Defensive Player of the Week. Senior goalkeeper Jeffrey Neidlinger (Carmel, Indiana) was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in last week's double-overtime tie with 11th-ranked Lewis University and win over the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Neidlinger opened the week with one goal allowed and four saves in the 110 minutes versus unbeaten Lewis, who had 11 shots. The senior finished the week by posting his third shutout of the season in the win at UW-Parkside, facing 12 Ranger shots and making two saves.
Sundays have been good to the Eagles. USI has averaged three or more goals in four of its six Sunday matches in 2013. The Eagles have scored three goal in the last two Sunday contests (versus Saint Joseph's College and UW-Parkside).
Scoring leaders. Junior forward Caleb Mathers (Clarkston, Michigan) continues to be USI's scoring leader this season with nine points on four goals and one assist. Mathers got on the scoreboard with USI's only goal against Lewis to break his six-game scoreless streak. Senior forward Rush Dugger (Hanson, Kentucky) and senior midfielder Corey Fundenberger (Lebanon, Indiana) follow with six points. Dugger is tied with Mathers with three goals this fall, while Fundenberger has two goals and two assists for his six points.
First goal games. Senior defenders Julio Roda (Santa Cruz, Bolivia) and Tyler White (Fishers, Indiana) and freshman forward Steve Sokol (Perth, Australia) scored their first collegiate goals in the win over UW-Parkside.
Eagles vs. Maryville: USI defeated Maryville, 2-0, last year, and leads the all-time series, 4-1-0.
Maryville in the GLVC. The Saints are in last place in the GLVC, having lost their last three matches. Maryville's only win was at home against the Missouri University of Science & Technology.
Eagles vs. UMSL. The Eagles are looking to break a nine-match losing streak to the Tritons after dropping last season's match, 1-0, at Strassweg Field. UMSL leads the all-time series, 19-4-1.
Tritons in the GLVC. UMSL is in a four-way tie for seventh in the GLVC standings. The Tritons swept its matches last week in the GLVC and have won three of their last four games.
