The USI men’s soccer team returned from a tough road trip Sunday, which saw them drop three matches to three solid opponents with a combined record of 9-2-2. 

The Screaming Eagles lost to Butler University in a close game by a score of 1-2, followed by a hard fall against Belmont University. They concluded this road trip with an inspiring defeat against the University of Wisconsin Green Bay, where one or two mistakes were the difference between a draw and the ultimate score. 

All of these matches were hampered by the fact that USI faced some injuries, including Fabrice Remy, senior midfielder, a versatile player capable of pushing up into the midfield and playing in the back, where USI has struggled so far this season. Hopefully, he can return soon, as his presence in the squad is crucial to success. 

The previous Mayor’s Cup in 2023 saw the University of Evansville defeat USI with great ease. The match ended in a crushing 4-0 defeat dominated by Kai Phillip, a fifth-year forward who scored a brace (two goals). In this match, all eyes were on Nacho Diaz Barragan, senior forward, with three goals and an assist in two games this season — a solid producer upfront. Keeping those two in check would be a severe problem for USI going into the match.

To combat this issue, Matt Santoro, USI men’s soccer head coach, opted to use a 4-4-2 formation, which allowed the two wide midfielders to drop back and help defend the three attackers in Evansville’s front. This is a solid approach, considering the Purple Ace’s talent. The match would be a defense-heavy affair, and wait for your opponent’s mistakes as your opportunity for a counterattack. The only drawback is possession, as the team doesn’t necessarily look at dominating possession. Instead, the emphasis is to take care of the possessions and make your chances count when you have them. 

The conditions were excellent at kickoff: 82 degrees Fahrenheit, sunny with a slight breeze. The University of Evansville men’s soccer program celebrated its 50th anniversary, and many alumni were invited to participate in pre-match activities and a halftime ceremony, where they honored all program alumni in attendance. Attendance is a critical factor in this fixture, as the University of Evansville is close to USI; therefore, the support for each side is closely split. The crowd seemed to be 60/40, in slight favor of the Purple Aces.

USI began with ambition and confidence, which was needed in this challenging match. However, they started the game playing up to their competition, defending well early and not giving Evansville great offensive opportunities. This solid defensive play eventually led to USI forcing a turnover of possession. On the counterattack, Jackson Mitchell, a sophomore forward, found David Davila, who scored his first goal in his collegiate career, opening the score in the 16th minute. 

However, this lead would be short-lived, as the Purple Aces scored a goal off a corner, courtesy of Barragan. It was his fourth goal of the season, tying the game at one apiece. This goal seemed to turn the tide, as 10 minutes later, Samuel Owusu, graduate forward, found the back of the net, giving the Purple Aces the lead, which they took into halftime. 

At halftime, the Screaming Eagles had a 39% possession percentage, which is not ideal but could be worse. However, in the attack, they had one shot on goal, which had to be improved upon if they could fight for a draw, let alone a win. They also needed to get back to the same aggression and ambition that gave them the lead in the first place. 

Early into the second half, the Screaming Eagles seemed like a team fighting back. They regained the mentality to compete and were led by Mitchell, who brought energy and determination to the right wing of attack. 

Unfortunately, the weather and pitch conditions would change, as almost out of nowhere, it began to rain, then pour. Surprisingly, this benefited the Screaming Eagles, who took the attitude of both teams’ grimy and ugly conditions. 

Ahiro Nakamae, a freshman midfielder with two goals on the season, found a good shot at the 60th minute, but ultimately, the Aces’ freshman goalkeeper, Michal Mroz, saved it. Soon after, the Aces almost made a mistake courtesy of the poor conditions, as one of the Aces’ defenders lost control of the ball close to his net, but Mroz ultimately saved the near-own goal. The game soon became a rainy stalemate, conditions preventing either team from getting good shot opportunities, save for a close attempt by Mitchell for USI.

The rain began to subside at around the 80th minute, and ball control was more accessible. This allowed the Aces to score a game-sealing goal by Barragan, his second of the game, making it five for the season. Following this, USI had all of the wind taken out of its sails, as they didn’t get another shot attempt, while the Purple Aces got a handful of them, but to no avail. The Aces closed the game, winning the Mayor’s Cup a second time by scoring 3-1.

On paper, this game seemed to support the typical “one team was better” assumption, but for those in attendance, it was anything but. The Screaming Eagles were up to the task of playing an enormously talented Purple Aces team with solid depth, and they were there for most of the game, giving effort, especially in non-ideal elements. 

Games like these give optimism that once USI gets healthy and has a couple of matches under its belt, it can compete in the Ohio Valley Conference with tremendous aggression and intelligent play. The only component that could be a weakness is the back four, but with the 4-4-2 formation, this issue can be limited with hard work and discipline. 

Legendary Manchester United Manager Alex Ferguson said, “Once you bid farewell to discipline, you say goodbye to success.” If the Screaming Eagles stick to their current discipline and course, then one day, they might lift not one but maybe a handful of Mayor’s Cups and take over the tri-state area. If this match is any indication, the tides might be turning in the favor of USI.