EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College men's soccer team opened its 2017 campaign with a 3-2 loss at the University of Southern Indiana on Thursday night.

The Screaming Eagles struck early, scoring their first goal of the game at the seven minute mark.  That score would stick until halftime as each team only tallied three shots in the first 45 minutes.

Kentucky Wesleyan netted a goal less than one minute into the second frame to tie the game at one.  Austin Moore fired a shot from the top right corner of the box to find the back of the net.  Alex Farmer picked up an assist on the play.

At the 58 minute mark, Southern Indiana regained the lead on a header from a cross pass.

Ben Protheroe knotted the game at two in the 70th minute.  Matt Hickingbotham drew a penalty kick that was initially saved by the goalie but Protheroe pounced the rebound and put it away to tie the game at two.

Southern Indiana responded with a goal less than two minutes later to take a 3-2 lead.

The Screaming Eagles held the advantage in shots at 16-6 and shots on goal at 8-4.  Goalkeeper Grant Allen made five saves in 90 minutes in net.

The Panthers return home on Wednesday, Sept. 6 to host Trevecca Nazarene University in their first Great Midwest Athletic Conference contest of the season.  The game is set to start at 5:30 pm CT.

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