EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana men's soccer team was dominating in the 2018 opener, defeating Kentucky Wesleyan College, 2-0, Thursday evening in Owensboro, Kentucky. The Screaming Eagles start a season 1-0-0 for the fifth-straight year and raised their record to 31-6-2 all-time versus the Panthers.
 
USI and KWC battled to a scoreless draw in the first half, but the Screaming Eagles had the momentum, leading 12-1 in shot. The Eagles also had three shots on-goal in the opening 45 minutes.
 
In the second half, USI wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard when junior midfielder Sean Rickey (Columbia, Indiana) scored the Eagles first goal of the year for the 1-0 lead at 48:19. Junior midfielder Morgan Kelly (Shelbyville, Kentucky) dished the ball to Rickey on the play for the assist.
 
USI freshman defender Colten Walsh (St. Louis, Missouri) put the Eagles up 2-0 at 75:06 by heading in his first goal as an Eagle. Walsh headed in the goal off a pass from freshman midfielder Adam Schluttenhofer (Mulberry, Indiana). The Eagles would finish the match with a 21-6 advantage in shots.
 
The USI defense took over for the final 15 minutes to preserve the 2-0 shutout win. Sophomore goalkeeper Justin Faas (Carmel, Indiana) posted his first career win and shutout by facing six shots and making one save.  
 
The Eagles open the 2018 home schedule at Strassweg Field Sunday when they welcome the Wildcats of Northern Michigan University for a 2:30 p.m. showdown. USI and Northern Michigan will be matching up for the first time in the history of the soccer programs. Live coverage is available on GoUSIEagles.com.
 
NMU kicked off its season this afternoon with a 2-0 loss to Mercyhurst University in Marquette, Michigan.