EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana women’s soccer team hosts Bethel College to open the 2010 schedule Thursday at Stassweg Field. Kick-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.
The Screaming Eagles, who are under the direction of eighth-year Head Coach Krissy Engelbrecht, also open GLVC action this week when they travel to preseason No.-9 Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, Kentucky, Sunday at 11 a.m. (CDT).
USI, which had the 13th most improved overall record in Division II last year, had a 9-8-3 record in 2009. The winning record was the second since 2000 for the Eagles, who also appeared in the GLVC Tournament after posting a 7-5-2 league record.
The 2010 Eagles are led by junior forward Meagan Kempf (Evansville, Indiana) and sophomore forward Susan Ellsperman (Newburgh, Indiana). Both were named All-Region last year, while Kempf also was named third team All-GLVC.
Ellsperman led the team in scoring last year with 18 points on a team-best seven goals and four assists. Kempf was second on the squad with 15 points on four goals and a team-high six assists.
The Eagles also return the team’s third-leading scorer in junior forward Nancy Newcomer (Parma Heights, Ohio). Newcomer had 12 points on five goals and two assists before her season was cut short by a knee injury.
Bethel has started the year 0-2-0 after losing to Grace College, 2-1, and Indiana Wesleyan University, 4-1, last week. USI won the first-ever meeting with Bethel, 4-3, on the road last fall.
NKU opens its season Friday when it hosts The University of Findlay. The Norse are the defending GLVC champion after completing 2009 with a 19-2-1 overall record and 12-2 mark in the GLVC. NKU also advanced to the NCAA II Midwest Regional championship game against Grand Valley State University before losing on penalty kicks.
The Norse are picked to win the GLVC again this year, while USI was picked to place seventh by the league coaches. USI broke an eight-game losing streak to NKU last fall with a 1-0 victory at Strassweg Field, but the Norse lead the all-time series, 11-4-0.