EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women's Soccer is set to open a three-match homestand Sunday when the Screaming Eagles take on the University of North Dakota at 1 p.m. from Strassweg Field.
Sunday is the second all-time meeting between the two programs, as USI kicked off its NCAA Division I era in 2022 with a 1-0 loss on the road in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Southern Indiana is 0-4-1 this season after a 1-0 road loss on Thursday at Miami University (Ohio). The game started in a defensive struggle, but the offense quickly picked up later in the first half. USI had a couple of looks at the goal, but the shots were saved by Miami's goalkeeper. The RedHawks scored the game's lone goal in the 43rd minute, which held the rest of the way.
In the match against Miami (OH), Miami totaled 20 shots compared to USI's four. The Redhawks had seven shots on goal, while USI put three on target. There were 24 total fouls, including three yellow cards in the contest. Sophomore defender
Brynn Quick (Cottage Grove, Minnesota), redshirt freshman defender
Abby Rhoutsong (Newburgh, Indiana), junior midfielder
Adriana Berruti (Berwyn, Illinois), and senior midfielder
Paige Vanek (St. Charles, Missouri) recorded USI's shots. Quick has placed a shot on goal in three straight matches, tying a season-best streak with junior midfielder
Maggie Duggan (Defiance, Missouri). Sophomore keeper
Anna Markland (Hoover, Alabama) grabbed a season-high six saves for USI.
Since the start of the 2022 season when USI made its NCAA Division I debut, the Screaming Eagles have come up short in 10 matches determined by a one-goal differential. Eight of those 10 games have been a 1-0 final score. The Screaming Eagles are hoping to change their misfortunes and come out ahead in the close contests.
On the season, Duggan and freshman forward
Pilar Torres (Chula Vista, California) are tied for the team lead with one goal apiece. Sophomore midfielder
Peyton Murphy (Bargersville, Indiana) tops the squad with eight shots. In goal, Markland has started all five matches, made 18 saves, and posted a 1.49 GAA.
North Dakota is 2-2-1 this season after a 7-9-4 record last year when the Fighting Hawks reached the Summit League quarterfinals. Most recently, North Dakota began its two-match road swing with a 3-0 victory at Illinois State University on Thursday. The Fighting Hawks scored a pair of second-half goals, including one on a penalty kick. Sophomore defender Amelia Loeffler scored two goals in the match, and graduate keeper Madi Livingston made six saves between the posts. Loeffler scored the goal for North Dakota in the 1-0 win against USI last season.
On the year, the Fighting Hawks have found the back of the net eight times, averaging 1.60 goals per game. Senior forward Allison Rapaduski leads the team with three goals in 2023, scoring a goal in three straight matches before the Illinois State game on Thursday. She also leads the team with 13 shots and six on target. In goal, Livingston has started all five matches, posting a 1.00 GAA with 23 saves and two clean sheets.
Sunday's match can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+. Additional coverage links are on the USI Women's Soccer schedule page on usiscreamingeagles.com.
