EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women's Soccer earned a 1-0 home win Thursday night against Chicago State University, as the Screaming Eagles' persistence paid dividends with a second-half goal.
 
In the early minutes of the first half, both teams came out trying to find a rhythm and establish possession. USI controlled most of the possession, creating solid build-up into the attacking third, but Chicago State's defense was able to stand tall and clear the ball away before the Screaming Eagles could fire a shot.
 
With 13 minutes remaining in the first half, junior forward Morgan Beyer (Rossford, Ohio) found the ball at her feet just outside the box. She rifled a shot that a Chicago State defender stepped in front of. Then a minute later from that attempt, Beyer had another chance from nearly the same spot. The shot had the same result, as the Chicago State defense blocked it again. The final minutes of the first half included a low corner from USI that was batted around in the box, but the ball was eventually gathered by the Cougars' sophomore goalkeeper Alexa Seiler.
 
USI had two shots and four corner kicks in the opening half while holding Chicago State without a shot or a corner kick.
 
Out of halftime, USI went on the attack to assert their offense, getting a couple of shots off from Beyer and senior midfielder Jill DiTusa (St. Charles, Illinois). DiTusa found space on the backend of a cross nearly ten minutes into the second half but missed a one-touch attempt.
 
The persistence of DiTusa eventually paid off. In the 62^nd minute, junior midfielder Alexis Schone (Galena, Ohio) served a long free kick toward the top of the six-yard box, where DiTusa was able to bury the ball into the near-side netting for her first goal of the season. The goal was USI's first since the 2-0 win at Chicago State on September 9.
 
Chicago State did not give up, putting together a charge in the last 10 minutes and forcing USI's defense to hold firm. With five minutes left, Chicago State's redshirt sophomore midfielder Delaney Kenney let a shot fly from the top of the box, but USI senior goalkeeper Maya Etienne (Midland, Michigan) covered it up for a big save to preserve the lead for Southern Indiana.
 
The Screaming Eagles earned their first win since that same September 9 win at Chicago State.
 
In the match, USI outshot Chicago State 8-6 with each squad tallying three shots on goal. USI finished with the four corner kicks from the first half.
 
Individually, DiTusa placed all three of her shots on goal, including the game-winner. Beyer also had three shots in the match. In goal, Etienne picked up three saves in a full 90 minutes played.
 
USI Women's Soccer gets back to Ohio Valley Conference play Sunday afternoon against former Great Lakes Valley Conference foe and current fellow newcomer to the OVC in Lindenwood University. Kickoff is at 12 p.m. from St. Charles, Missouri.
 
USI fans can stay up-to-date with the latest at usiscreamingeagles.com or follow USI Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.