EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men's Soccer could not overcome a two-goal first half by Eastern Illinois University and stumbled, 2-0, Thursday afternoon at Strassweg Field. The Eagles go to 1-10-3 overall and 0-4-3 in the OVC, while the Panthers are 3-8-3, 2-4-1 OVC.
 
USI allowed the eventual game-winner 12:32 into the match when EIU took a 1-0 lead. The Panther increased the margin to 2-0 just under 12 minutes later when EIU found the back of the net at 24:20 to seal the match.
 
The second half was a back-and-forth affair with neither team gaining the upper hand offensively. USI junior defender Sam Benoist (Foristell, Missouri) had a shot on-goal at 71:50 as the Eagles tried to get into gear offensively, but USI could not take the command of the match.
 
Overall, EIU had the advantage in shots, 16-10, while USI had a slim advantage in corners, 3-2.
 
NEXT UP FOR USI:
The Eagles begin the final week of the 2023 regular season Sunday when start a two-match road swing with a visit to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Match time Sunday is set for 5 p.m. in Edwardsville, Illinois
 
SIUE, who visits Chicago State University tonight for a 7:30 p.m. matchup, leads the OVC with a 5-0-1 conference record, 10-0-3 overall. The Cougars won the first matchup with USI in September, 6-0, at Strassweg Field.
 
SIUE leads the all-time series with USI, 14-3-1, and in conference play, 13-1-1 (GLVC and OVC). Two of USI's three victories over SIUE came during the Eagles' first move to Division I in 1993 (4-2 at Strassweg Field) and 1994 (4-0 at SIUE).
 
USI finishes the road trip October 26 at 4 p.m. with a visit to EIU in Charleston, Illinois, before finishing the 2023 regular season at Strassweg Field October 29 versus Lindenwood University. Game time for USI-Lindenwood may be subject to change due to the OVC Women's Soccer Championship.