EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women's Soccer returns to the pitch Sunday at 2 p.m. for a road matchup against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville from Ralph Korte Stadium. The match will be the fourth in Ohio Valley Conference play for each team.
Going a week between matches, the Screaming Eagles had a heartbreaking 1-0 loss last Sunday at home against the University of Arkansas-Little Rock. The Trojans scored the game-winning goal in the final 2:30 of the match. The loss extended USI's losing streak to four, a first for the Screaming Eagles since 2015. The 1-0 loss came to USI despite outshooting Little Rock 8-5 in a defensive battle and in a match where only one save was tallied for each side.
USI is looking for their first result and goal scored since a 2-0 win on September 9 at Chicago State. The current scoreless drought for USI is just over 383 minutes played. The player who might just snap that scoreless skid is junior forward
Morgan Beyer (Rossford, Ohio), who tallied three shots and one on goal in USI's two matches last week. She has been more aggressive in the attacking third in the last few matches. Beyer is third on the team with 12 shots this season.
Another player to watch is freshman midfielder
Peyton Murphy (Bargersville, Indiana), who leads the Screaming Eagles offensively this season with five goals, 12 points, 19 shots, and 13 shots on goal. Plus, senior goalkeeper
Maya Etienne (Midland, Michigan) looks to continue her strong senior season. Etienne has registered 35 saves, 0.81 goals against average, a .814 save percentage, and four shutouts in 2022.
USI has shown a knack for being disciplined on the defensive end, especially in terms of not giving away too many 'free' plays. The Screaming Eagles average 7.3 fouls per match, which is inside the top-50 in the nation for the lowest fouls per game average. USI has been dealt only six yellow cards and one red card this season. Their defense has also been on par in corner kicks allowed, surrendering just 50 this season. Those 50 corner kicks allowed are less than most of the OVC teams and match UT Martin.
The Screaming Eagles have faced a tale of two halves this season when it comes to goal scoring and shots allowed. Offensively, USI has been outscored 4-1 in the first half, while matching their opponents 5-5 in the second half. USI has outshot their opponents 52-39 in the first half. However, the difference in shots allowed between the first and second halves is 15, as USI opponents have attempted 54 shots in the second half.
SIUE is 4-4-2 this season, including a 3-0 start in Ohio Valley Conference play. Winners of three straight, SIUE is 2-2-1 at home in 2022. The Cougars are coming off a 1-0 home win against Eastern Illinois University on Sunday. The goal was scored by junior forward Lily Schnieders, her third of the season and a team-high. Junior goalkeeper Taylor Spiller made 11 saves for her third shutout of the season. She was named the OVC Goalkeeper of the Week this past week. Overall, in goal, Spiller has posted 44 saves, 1.60 goals against average, 0.733 save percentage and three shutouts. Offensively, Schnieders has recorded 22 shots and 12 on goal, second to junior defender Taylor Dolt with 25 shots and 12 on goal as well. The Cougars were predicted first in the 2022 OVC Preseason Poll.
The 2 p.m. kickoff Sunday can be seen live 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.
