EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men's Soccer got into the win column for the first this season with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Northern Kentucky University Tuesday night at Strassweg Field. The Screaming Eagles rise to 1-6-0, while NKU goes to 1-3-3.
 
The victory was the first for USI over NKU since 2003 when both teams were a part of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. USI's win also evened the series which dates back to the 1980s at 15-15-1.
 
USI senior midfielder Nick Faddis (St. Louis, Missouri) gave the Eagles a 1-0 lead with 2:07 left in the first half on a penalty kick. Faddis' first goal of the season put USI into the lead for the first time in 2023 and snapped the five game/500-plus minute scoreless drought.
 
The Eagles' defense also stood out in the first half as the Norse had possession of the ball for 28 of the first 45 minutes and had seven shots at the USI goal.
 
In the second half, USI quickly expanded first half lead to 2-0 when freshman midfielder Pablo Juan (St. Louis, Missouri) recorded his first collegiate goal at 53:05. Juan was assisted on the play by senior midfielder Marky Lara (Evansville, Indiana) and junior midfielder Garland Hall (Evansville, Indiana).
 
After USI went a man down due to a second yellow card by junior midfielder Fabrice Remy (Coral Springs, Florida), the Norse rallied to knot the match at 2-2 with tallies at 69:48 and 74:57.
 
The Eagles responded and regained the lead, 3-2, at 77:09 when Hall posted his first collegiate goal for the eventual game winner. Hall was assisted by Faddis, who sent a free kick to him in the box.
 
USI held off the NKU offensive attack for the remaining 13 minutes to preserve its first victory of the season.
 
Eagles freshman Andrew Klott (St. Charles, Missouri) posted his first collegiate win in the match. Klott allowed two goals and made four saves in 77:09 minutes of action.
 
Junior goalkeeper Braden Matthews (Princeton, Indiana) finished the game in goal for the Eagles and preserved the victory without facing a shot in the final 12:51.
 
NEXT UP FOR USI:
The Eagles conclude the four-game homestand September 28 when they open Ohio Valley Conference action for the first time by hosting Southern Illinois University Edwardsville at Strassweg Field. The match is slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
 
SIUE is 4-0-2 to start the year and is slated to play Webster University September 22 before visiting USI. The Cougars were 1-0-1 last week, posting a 1-0 win over Western Illinois University and a 1-1 tie at Bradley University.  
 
The Cougars leads the all-time series with the Eagles, 13-3-1, and in conference play, 12-1-1 (GLVC). 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). The Cougars won last year's match-up in Edwardsville, 5-1, and have taken the last five meetings, dating back to 2002 GLVC Tournament.