EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men's Soccer had its season come to a close after a 2-1 loss to Western Illinois University at Strassweg Field on Sunday afternoon after the Leathernecks rallied in the second half.
Going into Sunday's match, USI (3-10-4, 3-6-1 OVC) needed a win or tie over WIU (6-9-3, 4-5-1 OVC) to keep its season alive and advance to the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.
USI opened in its defensive third with the Leathernecks earning three corner kicks in the opening five minutes of the contest. In the fifteenth minute, sophomore midfielder
Edin Cvorovic found freshman midfielder
Christian Rotundo for his fifth goal of the season on a sliding kick. WIU tied things up in the 36th minute from a shot inside the penalty area. USI entered halftime tied after being outshot 10 to 3, with WIU leading the corner battle 7 to 1 as well.
Both teams opened the second half at a stalemate with neither team recording a shot until the 53rd minute. The Leathernecks took a 2-1 advantage over the Screaming Eagles after a goal in the 61st minute. After the goal, the Screaming Eagle defense held the Leathernecks without a shot the rest of the match. USI managed 2 final shots over the next 25 minutes but were unable to find the equalizing goal.
After the first year under head coach
Mads Kaiser, Kaiser and the Screaming Eagles will look towards preparing for the 2027 season.
