CLEVELAND – University of Southern Indiana Women's Soccer posted its first win of the season Thursday evening after freshman Lilah Katz scored her first career goal and the game-winning goal in the final minutes to give the Screaming Eagles a 1-0 road victory at Cleveland State University.
 
USI (1-5-2) created multiple chances throughout Thursday's contest, but the game-winning goal came with under two minutes to go off a corner kick. After the initial cross into the box and multiple deflections, Katz ended the chaos in the box by putting the ball into the back of the net for the game-winning tally. The win put USI in the win column while snapping a three-game losing streak, and it gave the Screaming Eagles their second road result of the season. Plus, the Screaming Eagles notched their third clean sheet this season.
 
With Thursday's goal, Katz became the third different goal-scorer for USI this season and the second freshman. Katz joined freshman forward Liza Anderson to record her first career goal, as Anderson also scored her first career goal earlier this week at Eastern Michigan University.
 
While it took until the final minutes to break the nil-nil tie, USI Women's Soccer stuffed the stat sheet offensively on Thursday. The Screaming Eagles launched 25 shots with 10 on goal. The 25 shots were the most for USI Women's Soccer since putting up 27 at the end of last season against Western Illinois University. USI had 10 shots on goal earlier this season against the University of Akron. Meanwhile, Cleveland State (0-7-0) was limited to only six shots and four on goal.
 
Individually, Anderson and senior forward Eva Boer, who assisted Katz' game-winning goal, each tallied a USI season-high five shots. Anderson also placed a USI season-high four shots on goal. Seven Screaming Eagles took multiple shots on Thursday. Senior midfielder Kamryn Bea had three shots with two on target. In goal, sophomore goalkeeper Merrick Schwalbach made four saves while registering her third shutout this season.
 
USI came out challenging Cleveland State early, forcing the Vikings' goalkeeper to make three saves within the first 10 minutes. In the first half, Boer and Bea each took two shots. Bea placed both of her shots on goal. Freshman forward Morgan Wannemuehler got a quality look at the goal late in the half off a steal, but her shot was saved. The game remained scoreless going into halftime.
 
After an even start to the second half, the Screaming Eagles turned on the jets in the final 20 minutes. Anderson and Boer spearheaded the attack down the stretch, including a few shots by freshman midfielder Shea Krakowski. Katz's first attempt of the night missed high in the 80^th minute. USI's constant pressure late in the second half eventually paid off on the corner kick, leading to Katz's game-winning goal to give the Screaming Eagles the road victory.
 
The Screaming Eagles will remain on the road through the end of the weekend when USI ventures to Valparaiso University for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Sunday for the third match of the team's four-game road stretch.