EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women's Soccer concludes its four-game road stretch on Thursday at 4 p.m., when the Screaming Eagles visit DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois.
 
Thursday's game is the first of back-to-back matches against Big East Conference teams for USI, as the Screaming Eagles will host Xavier University in their return home on Sunday, September 20, at 1 p.m.
 
USI Women's Soccer (1-6-2) has gone 1-2-0 in its first three matches of the current road stretch. USI earned the road win in a 1-0 victory last Thursday at Cleveland State University, its first win of the season. The Screaming Eagles are 1-2-1 overall on the road this season.
 
Last time out, the Screaming Eagles fell 2-0 at Valparaiso University on Sunday. The Beacons scored twice in the second half to come out on top. USI outshot Valparaiso 12-11 overall and 6-5 in shots on goal. Senior forward Eva Boer led USI in shots with four attempts and two on goal.
 
Following last week's action, freshman defender Lilah Katz was named the Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week, collecting her first career OVC honor. Katz earned the award after scoring her first career goal and the game-winner in the 89^th minute in USI's road win at Cleveland State last Thursday. Katz has made three consecutive starts, playing every minute in each. Katz is one of six Screaming Eagles and one of five freshmen to record first career starts this season.
 
On the season, Katz, freshman midfielder Liza Anderson, and junior defender Emma Schut each have a goal scored. Boer paces the squad with 18 shots, while Anderson leads the team with eight shots on goal, ranking third in the OVC. In goal, sophomore goalkeeper Merrick Schwalbach has a 1.44 GAA with 36 saves, including three saves on Sunday at Valparaiso. Schwalbach also has three clean sheets, which is tied for second-most in the OVC.
 
DePaul (3-2-2) is 1-2-1 at home this season and is looking for its first win since a 1-0 result against cross-city foe University of Illinois Chicago on August 27. The Blue Demons have played four straight games in the Chicago city limits, including two on their home field.
 
Last time out, DePaul fell 1-0 at home on Sunday against the University of North Texas. The game's lone goal came on a penalty kick in the first half.
 
Five Blue Demons have split the team's scoring with one goal each. Senior midfielder Shayna da Silva leads the squad with four points: one goal and two assists. Da Silva has eight shots, three on goal. Freshman midfielder Carolian Capizzi leads the team with 10 shots, four on goal. Between the posts, senior goalkeeper Mason Hillery has played every minute in goal, registering a 0.71 GAA with 22 saves and three shutouts.
 
DePaul and USI are meeting for the first time on Thursday, and it will be USI's first all-time match against a Big East opponent.
 
Thursday's match will air on Marquee Sports Network. Live stats and additional coverage are available at usiscreamingeagles.com.