Survive and Advance! Cardinals Head to Round of 16 After 4-1 Win Over USI

Photo credits to USI Photographer, Elizabeth Randolph
Photo credits to USI Photographer, Elizabeth Randolph

Evansville, Ind.  — The SVSU Men's Soccer team faced the University of Southern Indiana Saturday (Nov. 10) afternoon in the round of 32 portion of the NCAA Tournament. 

The Cardinals came out on top of the host school 4-1, after posting two goals in each half, advancing to the Round of 16 beginning next week. 

The win moves SVSU to a 11-2-6 overall record. 

Saginaw Valley came out quickly in the first half, as Azaad Liadi dribbled the ball into the box and snuck one in past the keeper to go up 1-nil against the Screaming Eagles in the 29th minute of play. This was Liadi's ninth goal of the season. 

Next up was a scramble play inside the box for the Cards, as Liadi and Michael Hamilton sent a helper to Liam Traverse for his fourth goal on the year in the 42' of play.  

At the half, Saginaw Valley led 2-nil, leading Southern Indiana 10-1 in overall shots, placing six on goal. 

The Screaming Eagles responded to a first half Cardinal goals to cut the SVSU lead in half 2-1 at the 76' mark.

Saginaw Valley pushed to secure the lead with a little give and go from Liadi to Pablo Ortiz, earning his third goal of the season in the 84th minute of play to go up 3-1 over Southern Indiana. 

It didn't take long after for the Cardinal offense to continue finding the back of the net once again, with Michael Shaikly taking a helper from Hamilton to give the visitors a 4-1 lead with less than two minutes left in the second half.

Shaikly's goal would secure the score books as the SVSU Men's Soccer team heads to the NCAA Round of 16 with the 4-1 victory over the Screaming Eagles. 

Inside the Boxscore

  • Liadi posted his ninth goal of the season and two assists in the victory over USI. 
  • Hamilton earned two assists, as well as posting three shots with one on goal. 
  • Shaikly used his only SOG for his third goal of the season.
  • SVSU finished with a 17-7 edge in overall shots and a 9-3 in shots on-goal. 
  • Lukas Betz (10-2-5) got the win in net, making two saves and allowing a single goal in the victory.

From head coach Andy Wagstaff

"Once again the team continues to handle all of the challenges that get thrown their way. We showed incredible courage to come to USI, play only 37 hours after beating Ashland, and then beat the GLVC League Champs who had been rested for 2 weeks.  In addition to that, we had to deal with a very passionate home fan base that gave everything to their USI team. However, we managed to brave the storm early and get a hold of the game, our class and quality showed. In the second half we had to handle a lot of pressure from the long ball and long flip throw that USI put on us, but, we fortunately managed just that. 

"We are excited to move on to the round of 16 but we know we have to get back to a good week of training to prepare."

Up Next... 

The Cardinals will face Ohio Valley University on Thursday (Nov. 15) at 6:00 p.m. eastern time. The match will be played at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. The Fighting Scots defeated Tiffin on Sunday in penalty kicks to advance. The NCAA Round of 16 berth is the third in program history for the Cardinals. 

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