EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women's Soccer hits the road Sunday afternoon for their first-ever Ohio Valley Conference contest at Morehead State University. Kickoff is set for noon CT and can be seen live with an ESPN+ subscription.
 
The battle of the USI Screaming Eagles against the MSU Eagles opens the 2022 conference season slate for the Ohio Valley Conference. Three other OVC contests are on the schedule for Sunday.
 
The Screaming Eagles are coming off a 1-0 loss last Sunday at Purdue Fort Wayne. The game's lone goal was scored within the first two minutes. The loss snapped a five-match unbeaten streak for USI. Overall, Southern Indiana had seven shots with five on goal, while Purdue Fort Wayne had 17 shots with seven on goal. USI earned six corner kicks to the Mastodons' four.
 
Senior goalkeeper Maya Etienne (Midland, Michigan) was named the Ohio Valley Conference's Goalkeeper of the Week on Tuesday. In the two preceding road matches, Etienne continued her strong senior season in goal for the Screaming Eagles. Etienne made five saves on eight shots faced in USI's 2-0 win at Chicago State on September 9, earning her fourth shutout of the season and the 33rd clean sheet of her career. Etienne went on to make six saves against seven shots on goal on September 11 at Purdue Fort Wayne. The six saves matched a season-high for Etienne, who has also played every minute in goal this season for USI. The accolade was USI's second OVC weekly honor of the season.
 
So far in 2022, Etienne has recorded 27 saves and four shutouts in seven matches. Her goals against average is 0.43 with a .900 save percentage, while also not allowing more than one goal in any contest. Etienne ranks first in the OVC in goals against average, save percentage, and in shutouts.
 
Freshman midfielder Peyton Murphy (Bargersville, Indiana) leads the offensive attack for the Screaming Eagles. Murphy leads the team with five goals, 12 points, 15 shots, and 12 shots on goal. She has put a shot on goal in six straight matches. As a team, Southern Indiana is outshooting their opposition 93 to 62 and 49 to 30 in shots on goal. 17 Eagles have already recorded multiple shot attempts and 12 players have multiple shots on goal this season, led by Murphy with 15 shots and 12 on target. Entering the weekend, USI is first in the OVC in shots (93) and shots per game (13.29), second in assists (9), and third in goals (8) and points (25).
 
Southern Indiana's defense has been stout this season and complementary to the team's strong offense. Entering the weekend, the Screaming Eagles lead the OVC in the fewest goals allowed with three, leading to a league-best 0.43 goals against average. The USI defense has shown its discipline as well by not allowing a lot of set pieces in the defensive third. USI opponents have only taken 29 corner kicks, and USI has the third-fewest number of fouls in the OVC with only 54.
 
"I'm extremely pleased with how we've played during non-conference," Head Coach Eric Schoenstein said. "The team has done a great job of adjusting to D-I soccer in the first month of the season."
 
"We're excited to start OVC play this weekend, beginning with a difficult opponent in Morehead State. We hope to continue to grow as a program and achieve success in the conference season."
 
Morehead State is 3-4-1 entering conference play, including a 2-1-1 record at home. Last time out, Morehead State lost 3-0 at Cincinnati last Sunday, but the Eagles have earned a result in three of their last four matches. Junior forward Hadley Cytron leads Morehead State offensively, tallying two goals and three assists for seven points on 11 shots - five on goal. Junior forward Nicole Fiantaco has also found the back of the net twice this season on four total shot attempts. Between the posts, senior goalkeeper Michelle Jerantowski has been a mainstay for the Eagles, starting all eight matches. Her goals against average is 1.73 with 22 saves and two shutouts. Morehead State hired Chris Fox as the head coach this past winter, as the Eagles are coming off a 4-10-4 season in 2021 and a 2-4-2 conference record.
 
USI fans can stay up-to-date with the latest at usiscreamingeagles.com or follow USI Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.