EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women's Soccer returns home after a season-long, three-match road swing when the Screaming Eagles host Morehead State University Sunday at 1 p.m. in Ohio Valley Conference play.
Sunday at Strassweg Field will be USI's pink game to help raise cancer awareness. Fans are also encouraged to wear pink in support.
The Screaming Eagles (1-6-4, 0-1-1) will take the field in game action for the first time in a week, as USI was idle during Thursday's slate of contests in the OVC. USI will look to rebound after a 7-0 road loss last Sunday at Tennessee Tech University. Tennessee Tech's offense took hold of momentum early in the game, converting a penalty kick in the first 12 minutes before scoring three more times before halftime and another three goals after the intermission. USI had its fair share of attacking opportunities but could not find the back of the net.
Last Sunday's defeat snapped a four-match unbeaten streak for Southern Indiana, in which USI went 1-0-3. During that solid stretch of play from USI, the team outscored its opponents 4-2, despite being outshot 44-35 and at an average of 11 to 8.8 shots per match. Although, much of the credit must be given to USI's defense during the unbeaten streak for forcing opponents into tough, low-percentage shots. The defense also stepped in front and blocked multiple shots. USI's defense will look to regain its form against Morehead State on Sunday.
In recent weeks, Southern Indiana has seen its newcomers, especially freshmen, step up into big roles as USI has had to overcome some injuries and illness. USI had five players in the starting lineup against Tennessee Tech who were not on the 2022-23 roster. Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Anna Markland (Hoover, Alabama) has started every match, taking the reins between the posts in her first season in a USI uniform. Markland is a two-time OVC co-Goalkeeper of the Week this season and is fifth in the OVC with 41 saves. Freshman forward Pilar Torres (Chula Vista, California) leads the team with two goals and has started a majority of the matches alongside fellow freshman defender Kamryn Bea (O'Fallon, Missouri). Freshmen midfielders Kerigan Kivisto (Collierville, Tennessee) and Lydia Bordfeld (Evansville, Indiana) each have an assist this season.
Torres has been one of USI's top shot-takers this season with 14 attempts, trailing only sophomore midfielder Peyton Murphy (Bargersville, Indiana) and her team-high 15 shots. Both rank inside the top 10 in the Ohio Valley Conference. USI is fifth in the OVC with 99 attempts.
Morehead State (3-4-5, 2-0-2) is coming off a 1-1 draw at Eastern Illinois University on Thursday. The Eagles were doubled up in shots by the Panthers, 12-6. Graduate senior Colleen Swift scored a team-best fourth goal of the season on Thursday, giving her a team-high nine points on the campaign. Sophomore netminder Erin Gibbs made four saves against the Panthers, bringing her season total to 52 stops. Gibbs enters Sunday's match against USI with a 1.36 GAA.
Overall, Morehead State has scored 13 times at a rate of 1.08 goals per outing this season. The team averages 11.4 shots per game and has placed over 46 percent of shots on target.
Sunday's match will be the second all-time meeting between USI and Morehead State. Morehead State won last year's meeting at home in Kentucky, 1-0, over USI in the conference opener in 2022.
Sunday's contest can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+. Additional coverage links are on the USI Women's Soccer schedule page on usiscreamingeagles.com.
