The USI Women’s Soccer team hosted Morehead State University Thursday at their first home conference match. The Screaming Eagles entered the match following an away draw against the University of Tennessee at Martin Saturday.
The pitch conditions were relatively strong due to rain in Evansville in the past week. The weather was near perfect at game time with 70 degrees and clear skies. This game would show promise for both teams.
The Screagles started the game strong, with a couple of forward runs. Brynn Quick, senior defender, and Emerson Grafton, senior forward, took some shots early, setting the tone for the match and inspiring their teammates.
Josie Pochocki, sophomore forward, who had scored two goals in the last three matches, looked aggressive early on in this one. Pochocki made two great attacking efforts in the seventh and 12th minutes, which led to shots. The first shot was on target, but was saved by Morehead State University.
Pochocki continued to stay on the attack, finding another shot on target in the 18th minute, but this one was also saved.
USI looked like the stronger side early on, as they were able to get players up the field by utilizing a back three while in possession of the ball. This tactical approach is a two-way street, as it keeps the defense on their toes with an extra player in the middle third of the field. However, the trade-off is that when the team is dispossessed, it can leave them at a disadvantage on the counter-attack.
The Screaming Eagles started to lose a bit of steam in the middle of the first half, as Morehead State University made some substitutions to get fresh players in. USI also made some substitutions to give Pochocki and Grafton a much needed rest.
USI’s Eva Boer, redshirt sophomore forward and Peyton Murphy, senior forward, took charge during this time, both getting scoring opportunities to end the first half, but to no avail.
The first half featured a strong performance by USI, as they took three more shots than Morehead State University and one more corner. However, the performance would have to be even better if they wanted to win the game.
The second half began with a more aggressive tone as both sides were desperate to get a goal. Possession of the ball was evenly split early on.
Anna Markland, redshirt junior goalkeeper, made a couple of saves in goal to keep the game tied, as Morehead State University looked more energized to open the half. This past week, Markland received the OVC’s Goalkeeper of the Week award, her third already of this season. She looks to be one of the top keepers in the conference, a luxury that this team should utilize, but not take for granted.
However, in the 50th minute, the Screaming Eagles started separating themselves, earning a couple of corners into the 53rd minute.
USI grabbed all the momentum as their corner count reached five by the 62nd minute.
Typically, teams that get more corners in the second half show signs of beginning to physically and mentally dominate their opponents, slowly but surely wearing them down.
In the 80th minute, Haley Kocher, freshman midfielder, made a strong through pass to Grafton, who made a strong run down the right wing. Grafton then hit a cross into the box for Pochocki, who put the ball into the back of the net, giving the Screagles a 1-0 lead. This was Pochocki’s third goal of the season, which places her tied for first on the team with Grafton.
After the goal, Morehead State University attempted to mount a late comeback with a couple of attacking opportunities, which forced Markland to make some clearances.
