YPSILANTI, Mich. – University of Southern Indiana Women's Soccer freshman forward
Liza Anderson scored her first career goal, and sophomore goalkeeper
Merrick Schwalbach recorded a career-best six saves on Sunday afternoon, but the Screaming Eagles fell 3-1 in the opener of their four-game road stretch after Eastern Michigan University charged back in the second half.
USI Women's Soccer (0-5-2) was held to two shots on Sunday, one of which was Anderson's goal off assists by freshman midfielder
Shea Krakowski and sophomore defender
Tierney Mullady. Meanwhile, Schwalbach recorded her new career mark of six saves on 19 shots faced from Eastern Michigan (2-1-2). The Eastern Michigan Eagles placed nine shots on goal.
The Screaming Eagles struck first in the 12
th minute on Sunday when Anderson scored her first career goal and USI's second goal of the season. The goal came off a free-kick play, and Anderson's finishing shot went off the post and crossed the line to give USI a 1-0 lead.
Not many offensive chances were available in the first half, as USI's 1-0 lead stood until halftime. The two teams combined for six shots and two on goal in the first half.
Within the first two minutes of the second half, Schwalbach kept USI's 1-0 advantage intact with an electrifying diving save on a penalty kick. However, Eastern Michigan was awarded another penalty kick later in the 64
th minute and converted to tie the match, 1-1.
As Eastern Michigan ramped up the pressure in the middle of the second stanza, Schwalbach delivered with another diving save and a couple of tip-saves to keep the match level at one.
Inside the final 10 minutes, Eastern Michigan continued to fire away shots and ended up scoring twice to come away with the 3-1 result.
USI Women's Soccer continues the road stretch and looks to snap a three-match losing streak on Thursday at 5 p.m. CT, when the Screaming Eagles visit Cleveland State University.
