EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana women's soccer team lost a hard fought battle to open the 2018 campaign, falling with Walsh University, 2-0, Friday evening at Strassweg Field.
 
USI and Walsh battled up-and-down the field and finished first 45 minutes in a 0-0 draw. The Cavaliers has the better chances, leading 5-2 in shots and 3-0 in shots on-goal.
 
Both teams continued to fight for position and momentum through the first 6:20 of the second half before a 40 minute lightning delay forced the teams off the field. The stalemate continued after the weather cleared and until the 76:36 mark when the Cavaliers took a 1-0 lead.
 
Walsh would seal USI's fate 11 minutes later when the Cavaliers converted for a second time in the half and give the match its 2-0 final score.
 
USI senior goalkeeper Emily Hopkins (Greenfield, Indiana) was strong in goal for the Eagles, taking the loss despite making five saves. The Eagles as a team were only outshot, 11-10, for the match.
 
USI hits the road for the next three contest, starting with a visit to NCAA Division I Xavier University Sunday in Cincinnati, Ohio for a noon (CDT) match. The Eagles complete their first road trip of the year with a visit to Hammond, Indiana, to play a neutral-site match with Northern Michigan University September 6 at 4 p.m. (CDT) and a road game versus Purdue University Northwest September 8 at 11:30 a.m. (CDT).
 
Xavier is off to a 1-4 record to start the 2018 campaign and has lost its last four after falling to West Virginia University, 3-0, Thursday evening. The Musketeers' lone victory came in their season opener, a 2-1 win over the University of Toledo.
 
Follow the live coverage of USI women's soccer matches, including live stats and video, on GoUSIEagles.com.