CHARLESTON, Ill. – University of Southern Indiana Men's Soccer secured a 2-1 victory at Eastern Illinois University on Thursday afternoon, setting a new Division I program mark for wins in a season.
USI's (3-9-4, 3-5-1 OVC) win over EIU (4-9-3, 3-5-1 OVC) was the first program win at EIU since 2022, and provided a key three points in the Ohio Valley Conference standings as the Screaming Eagles sit in 6th place with only one match remaining.
The Panthers got things started in the match, scoring a goal in the 13th minute to give EIU a 1-0 lead. USI managed four shots, but EIU kept possession of the ball for much of the first half. In the 44th minute of the first half freshman midfielder
Christian Rotundo was awarded a penalty kick to tie things up at 1 apiece going into halftime.
The Screaming Eagles picked up where they left off in the first half. In the 58th minute, sophomore midfielder
Tony Murphy found Rotundo for his second goal of the match, giving USI a 2-1 lead. The Screaming Eagles were forced into their defensive third for much of the remainder of the match, but senior goalkeeper
Kael McGowan made three key saves to preserve the 2-1 victory over the Panthers.
Rotundo's brace marked his third and fourth goals of the season. Murphy's sixth assist of the season moved him into a tie for the conference lead.
USI will conclude its regular season Sunday at 3 p.m. at Strassweg Field. The match will also serve as Alumni Day and Senior Day.
Team coverage for Sunday's match will be available on X (@USIMSOC) and Instagram (@usi_msoc). Live stats and ESPN+ coverage can be accessed at USIScreamingEagles.com.
