CHARLESTON, Ill. – University of Southern Indiana Men's Soccer battled to a 2-2 draw with Eastern Illinois University Saturday afternoon in Charleston, Illinois. The Screaming Eagles fall to 2-12-1 overall and 1-5-1 in the OVC, while the Panthers go to 2-10-1, 1-6-0 OVC.
 
The tie keeps USI seventh in the OVC standings, one point behind Western Illinois University in the league playoff picture. The top six teams advance to the OVC Championship at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, November 10-16, in Edwardsville, Illinois.
 
Following an EIU goal at 16:34, the Eagles tied the match, 1-1, on a goal by freshman forward David Davila at 19:42. Davila was assisted on his third goal of the year by a throw-in assist from freshman midfielder Ahiro Nakamae. The goal snapped USI's 569-minute scoring drought over the last six matches.
 
The score would remain tied, 1-1, through the end of the opening half. EIU had the advantage in shots, 8-2, but USI was tied with the Panther in the score and corners (2-2).
 
The second half saw the Eagles take the lead for the first time when sophomore forward Jackson Mitchell scored from the right side for the 2-1 lead. Mitchell posted his third goal of the season by gathering up a deflected ball and outmaneuvering four Panthers for the shot.
 
EIU would bounce back three minutes later to tie the match and give the match an eventual final of 2-2.
 
USI had a chance to jump out in front a second time in the second final when Mitchell was fouled in the box with 25:45 to play. USI senior defender Garland Hall was robbed on the penalty kick on a diving play by the EIU goalkeeper Chad Smith.
 
Overall for the match, EIU won the battle of shots, 22-8, while USI had the advantage in corner kicks, 5-4.  
 
 
NEXT UP FOR USI:
The Eagles reach the final week of the 2024 regular with a home and road schedule. USI is slated to host Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Thursday at 6 p.m. and visit Lindenwood University November 3 at 1 p.m.
 
The SIUE Cougars are 8-4-3 overall and 6-1-1 in the OVC after defeating Western Illinois University, 3-0, this afternoon. SIUE has dominated the all-time series with USI, 16-3-1, since the 1970s and took the season's first meeting in Edwardsville, 2-0.
 
The Lions of Lindenwood, who are 8-5-3 overall and 4-2-2 in the OVC, with two matches left in their regular season. Lindenwood is idle this weekend, but will visit Eastern Illinois University Thursday before hosting USI next Sunday.
 
USI trails the all-time series with Lindenwood, 4-3-0, after losing the first meeting, 2-0, to start October.