CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - University of Evansville senior goalkeeper Myia Danek (Laingsburg, Mich./Laingsburg) and the Purple Aces' defense posted their second-straight shutout on Thursday night, as UE played to a 0-0 draw at Southeast Missouri State.  It marks just the second time in program history in which UE has opened the year with consecutive shutouts. 

Danek recorded five saves, including four in the second half, on a night in which the heat index was well over 100 degrees even deep into the second half.  The defense in front of her also blocked away a pair of close-in shots in the second half, as Evansville stood tall defensively to post back-to-back shutouts to open the 2023 season.  It marks the first time since 2001 in which UE has opened the year with consecutive shutouts.  That year, the Purple Aces opened the year with three-straight shutouts on the way to 13-7-1 overall record and a spot in the 2001 NCAA Tournament as MVC Tournament champions. 

The opening half was a back-and-forth affair for the first 25 minutes, until UE put freshman forward Taylor Johnson (Evansville, Ind./Reitz) on as a substitute.  As in the first match of the year at Mercer, Johnson changed the complexion of the match, as UE dominated much of the final 20 minutes of the first half with Johnson on the field.  She nearly teamed up with fellow freshman Ashlyn Koutsos (Cumming, Ga./West Forsyth) for UE's first goal of the season, but SEMO's Sophia Elfrink denied Koutsos from eight yards out just minutes before halftime. 

In the second half, both teams used reserves freely to combat the stifling heat.  Despite the steady stream of new faces in and out of the lineup, Evansville's defense was able to keep the Redhawks off the scoreboard, including a stretch where a point-blank shot was blocked and then kicked away by Evansville defender Kaylee Woosley and Danek in the 65th minute.  UE also pressed forward with a stretch of a pair of corner kicks and a free kick within a minute of each other, but neither side could find the back of the net during the scoreless draw. 

With the result, Evansville moves to 0-0-2 and will return home to Arad McCutchan Stadium on Sunday evening to host undefeated Big Ten foe Indiana (2-0-1).  Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. and tickets for the match can be purchased by contacting the UE ticket office by phone at (812) 488-2623.