EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women's Soccer returns to Strassweg Field Sunday afternoon when the Screaming Eagles face the University of Tennessee at Martin in an Ohio Valley Conference showdown at 1 p.m. Admission is free thanks to The Women's Hospital Deaconess.
Sunday is the penultimate regular season home match for USI (4-5-4, 0-3-2 OVC), as only three total matches remain in the 2022 regular season schedule. USI enters Sunday's match with two points in the OVC standings and tied with Eastern Illinois and UT Martin, Sunday's opponent.
Following their 1-0 home win on October 6, USI played to a 1-1 draw last Sunday at Lindenwood University. The Screaming Eagles got off to a quick start against the Lions, scoring in the third minute on freshman midfielder Charli Grafton's (Sunriver, Oregon) first career goal. Grafton's goal was only the second first-half goal this season for USI, as all other eight goals in 2022 have come in the second half. The goal also was the earliest one scored in a match this season for USI. Additionally, the goal against Lindenwood also marked consecutive matches with a goal scored for USI for the first time since August 25 and 28 against Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Northern Illinois.
The remaining minutes of last Sunday's contest against Lindenwood was a back-and-forth battle, but Lindenwood scored the equalizer in the 73rd minute to tie. USI and Lindenwood also tied each other with eight shots. In goal, senior goalkeeper Maya Etienne (Midland, Michigan) made five saves, bringing Etienne to within six saves of third all-time in USI history.
Etienne ranks first in the OVC with a 0.70 goals against average this season, and she is tied for first with six clean sheets. Her performance in goal has led USI to a league-best 10 goals allowed and an overall 0.77 goals against average.
Last week, USI snapped a lengthy scoreless drought with a goal in consecutive matches against Chicago State University and Lindenwood, coming off the boots of first-time goal-scorers this season. Senior midfielder Jill DiTusa (St. Charles, Illinois) snapped the drought with her first goal of the season in the 62nd minute against Chicago State on October 6. DiTusa connected on the backend of a free kick for the game-winner. In coming off the bench against the Cougars, DiTusa went a perfect 3-3 in shots on goal. DiTusa also climbed USI's career record books for goals scored with 15 for 12th all-time and in points with 35 for 13th all-time. She had an assist on Grafton's goal against Lindenwood.
Mainly playing as a holding midfielder, Grafton stepped up to score in the third minute for her first tally of the season and the first goal of her career. While more known for marking opponents' midfielders, Grafton has registered six shots and placed four on target this season in 11 starts and appearances in all of USI's 13 matches.
UT Martin is 2-7-4 so far in the 2022 season, including a 0-3-2 record in the Ohio Valley Conference. The Skyhawks are coming off a 1-1 draw last Sunday against Eastern Illinois, as sophomore midfielder Izzy Patterson scored the goal for UT Martin. Patterson leads the team with 30 shots on the season, placing 13 on target. Senior forward Megan Drake paces the Skyhawks with four goals and nine points. In goal, UT Martin has relied heavily on freshman keeper Poppy Bastock. She has started all 13 matches, made 57 saves, and posted a 1.75 goals against average. Bastock has two shutouts this season.
Sunday's match can be seen live at 1 p.m. with an ESPN+ subscription.
USI fans can stay up-to-date with the latest at usiscreamingeagles.com or follow USI Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
