EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men's Soccer looks to finish its five-match homestand with a winning record Thursday when it faces Lindenwood University in an Ohio Valley Conference showdown. The match is slated for a special 1 p.m. kickoff.   
 
USI, which has won back-to-back matches for the first time since April 2021, returns to the road this weekend when it travels to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The single-match road swing is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.  
 
Next week, the Eagles will be back at Strassweg Field for a pair of matches. USI will host Houston Christian University October 10 for Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night and the University of Incarnate Word October 13 for Senior Day.
 
USI fans can attend all Men's Soccer 2024 home matches for free, courtesy of a sponsorship from ProRehab. Game coverage for 2024, including links to live stats and video streams, can be found on USIScreamingEagles.com.
 
USI Men's Soccer Week 6 Notes:

USI opens OVC with 2-1 win: The USI Screaming Eagles opened Ohio Valley Conference play with a 2-1 win over Eastern Illinois University. Sophomore forward Jackson Mitchell gave USI a 1-0 lead in the opening half, while senior defender Brock Martindale scored the game-winner in the second half. Sophomore goalkeeper Andrew Klott got his second win of the season by making four saves and allowing one goal.
 
USI got on the scoreboard vs. Rose-Hulman: The Eagles got on the scoreboard for the first time in 2024 with a 1-0 victory over Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Tuesday. Sophomore forward Jackson Mitchell scored his first goal of the season and the game-winner in the 38^th minute of the first half. Sophomore goalkeeper Andrew Klott posted his first shutout of the season by making three saves.
 
USI wins back-to-back matches: USI has won back-to-back matches for the first time since October of the 2021 season.
 
USI finds some offense: USI snapped a 380:21 scoreless streak when sophomore forward Jackson Mitchell scored his first goal of the season at 37:21 into the win Wednesday evening versus Rose-Hulman.
 
Martindale gets first USI goal: Senior defender Brock Martindale scored his first USI career goal versus EIU, the game-winner.
 
USI finishes homestand vs. Lindenwood: USI concludes the homestand against Lindenwood University October 3 at 1 p.m. and has a chance to win the homestand. After falling to Bellarmine University and Purdue University Fort Wayne to begin the five matches at home, USI has won two straight to give the Eagles a chance to win a homestand for the first time since April of 2021 (COVID season).
 
Leading the offense: The Eagles are led offensively by freshman midfielder Ahiro Nakamae, who has seven points on three goals and one assist. Sophomore forward Jackson Mitchell follows with six points on two goals and two assists.  
 
Lindenwood in 2024: Lindenwood is 4-4-1 overall this fall after losing its OVC opener, 2-0, to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville September 28. The Lions have lost two of their last three after a three-match winning streak.  
 
USI vs. Lindenwood: USI and Lindenwood are tied 3-3-0 in the all-time series between the two schools. The Eagles split the series with the Lions last year, falling in St. Charles, Missouri, 1-0, but bouncing back to win at Strassweg Field, 4-2, to end the season.
 
SIUE in 2024: The Cougars of SIUE are 3-3-2 during the season's first month. SIUE won its OVC season opener, 2-0, at home versus Lindenwood.  
 
USI vs. SIUE: SIUE has dominated the all-time series with USI, 15-3-1, since the 1970s. The Cougars took both matches last season, winning at USI, 6-0, and home, 4-0.