EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women's Soccer continues a three-match homestand on Thursday, facing off against Austin Peay State University at 7:30 p.m. from Strassweg Field.
Thursday's game is "Wayback Night" at Strassweg Field. The first 100 fans through the gates will receive a Wayback Burgers gift certificate.
USI (0-5-1) is looking to snap a four-game skid, coming off a 2-0 loss to the University of North Dakota on Sunday. Just like the previous three matches, USI showcased a strong performance against North Dakota. Southern Indiana controlled most of the contest and possession, putting significant pressure on North Dakota's defensive half. The Fighting Hawks utilized their speed to counterattack and score both of their goals. USI had opportunities to score, but North Dakota's goalkeeper recorded the shutout. Both teams tallied 10 shots in the game with USI having a slight 6-5 advantage in shots on goal. Senior midfielder Paige Vanek (St. Charles, Missouri) led USI in the shots column, placing two attempts on target. Sophomore keeper Anna Markland (Hoover, Alabama) snagged three saves.
On the season, junior midfielder Maggie Duggan (Defiance, Missouri) and freshman forward Pilar Torres (Chula Vista, California) have chalked up each of USI's goals. Sophomore midfielder Peyton Murphy (Bargersville, Indiana) tops the squad with nine shots, which is good for fifth in the Ohio Valley Conference. In goal, Markland is third in the OVC with a 1.58 GAA and fifth with 21 saves. As a team, USI is first in the OVC with 31 corner kicks and third with 50 shots and a 1.50 GAA.
USI has had a knack for playing in close, low-scoring matches in its first two seasons at the NCAA Division I level. The Screaming Eagles had nine one-goal matches in 2022 and three already this season. Unfortunately, USI is 2-10 in those one-goal contests. Despite playing well and having strong performances defensively, Southern Indiana is looking for more offensive scoring and hoping to change the outcome in close games.
Austin Peay, out of the Atlantic Sun Conference, is 2-3-1 this season and 1-1-1 in the last three matches. Austin Peay claimed a 2-1 win against Morehead State University last time out on Sunday. All three goals in the game were scored in the first half. The Governors won despite being outshot by seven attempts, including five fewer shots on goal. Morehead State also had more corner kicks than Austin Peay, 10-2.
The Governors have scored eight times this season, averaging over a goal per game and more than 12 shots per outing. Austin Peay has also put 34 of 73 shots on target. Individually, freshman forward Aniyah Mack leads Austin Peay with three goals, scoring one goal in the win over Morehead State. Five other Austin Peay players have found the back of the net. In goal, junior keeper Katie Bahn has posted a 2.03 goals against average and made 28 saves with one shutout.
The matchup Thursday will be the first all-time meeting between the two programs.
Thursday'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.
