EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville women’s soccer team will look to get back in the win column Friday afternoon, when it hosts Eastern Illinois for a 3 p.m. non-conference match at McCutchan Stadium and travels to Fort Wayne, Ind., Sunday afternoon for a Noon contest with in-state foe IPFW.
The Purple Aces (1-4-0) suffered defeats to Belmont and Purdue last weekend, dropping a 1-0 decision to the Bruins in Nashville, Tenn., before falling to the Boilermakers, 4-0, in West Lafayette, Ind.
Kristen Davis and Kayla Smith have each netted a goal for UE and are tied for the team lead with two points. Abby Springer has tallied a point, proving the lone assist for the Aces this season. Goalkeeper Chaviel Harrison, Evansville’s all-time saves leader, has played all 446:36 between the posts and has already collected 29 saves in her senior campaign. Harrison owns a 2.02 goals against average and a .744 save percentage.
Eastern Illinois brings a 1-4-0 record into Friday’s contest, after falling to Missouri Valley Conference member Indiana State, 1-0, last Friday in Terre Haute, Ind. The Panthers have already been involved in three overtime matches in its first five games, dropping double-overtime decisions to Northern Iowa and Purdue, prior to knocking off Cleveland State in an extra period. Kristin Germann leads the EIU offensive with six points on three goals, while Caitlin Greene has found the back of the net twice for four points. Goalkeeper Jessica Taldone has tallied 35 saves in just over 464 minutes and brings a 2.32 goals against average into Friday’s meeting.
IPFW stands at 1-3-0 on the season, earning a 2-1 victory over Indiana State in Terre Haute and dropping decisions to Butler, Toledo and Ball State. The Mastodons have allowed just one goal in each of their first four contests, but have mustered just two goals offensively. Erin Gill and Arianne Mason has combined for both goals, as each scored once against the Sycamores. In goal, Sam Pavlika has tallied 14 saves on 18 shots and boasts an impressive 1.00 goals against average despite her 1-3 record.
The Purple Aces hold records of 1-1 against Eastern Illinois and 0-1 versus IPFW under current head coach Krista McKendree. Last season, UE fell to the Mastodons, 1-0, at McCutchan Stadium. Against EIU, the Aces claimed a 2-0 win during the 2009 season, before falling in overtime, 1-0, to the Panthers the following year.
