HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — The Midway University men's soccer team will look to snap a two-game losing streak Thursday afternoon when the Eagles travel to face the University of Cincinnati-Clermont in their final non-conference matchup of the 2026 season.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. as the Eagles enter the contest with a 6-3-2 overall record and a 1-2 mark in River States Conference (RSC) play.
Cincinnati-Clermont enters Thursday's matchup searching for its first victory of the season, holding an 0-9 overall record.
The contest will mark the second meeting between the two programs this season after Midway earned a 10-0 victory at Midway Turf Field on Sept. 25.
Thursday's game will also be the second of three consecutive road contests for the Eagles before they return home to close the regular season with three straight matches.
LAST TIME OUT
Midway is coming off a 2-1 defeat against IU Columbus on Saturday evening in the River States Conference Game of the Week.
The Eagles found themselves trailing 2-0 in the second half before senior George Spencer converted a late penalty kick to cut the deficit in half.
Despite the late goal, Midway was unable to find the equalizer, suffering its second consecutive conference loss.
The defeat followed a 3-2 setback against IU East on Oct. 8, when the Eagles surrendered three unanswered goals after building a 2-0 advantage.
Before the two losses, Midway had put together a six-game winning streak and a seven-match unbeaten streak.
MIDWAY EAGLES
Despite the recent setbacks, the Eagles have enjoyed a productive offensive season under second-year head coach Stu Riddle.
Midway has scored 30 goals through 11 matches, averaging 2.73 goals per contest. The Eagles have recorded 161 shots, including 87 on goal, while adding 23 assists.
Senior forward George Spencer leads the Eagles with 10 goals and one assist for 21 points. Spencer has recorded a team-high 36 shots, including 23 on goal, and has converted his lone penalty kick opportunity this season.
Spencer has also recorded two hat tricks this season, including one against Cincinnati-Clermont on Sept. 25 and another against Boyce College on Oct. 3.
Senior midfielder Saleh Ekuchi has been another key contributor, recording five goals and a team-high six assists for 16 points. Ekuchi has also scored two game-winning goals.
Elijah Orren has added four goals and one assist for nine points, while Miles Ezell has contributed three goals and three assists for nine points.
Rhys Dickson has played a significant role in creating scoring opportunities, recording one goal and five assists for seven points.
Defensively, Midway has allowed 18 goals through 11 matches while recording two shutouts.
Goalkeeper Landon Sorrell has appeared in seven matches, recording 29 saves and a .690 save percentage. Connor Vincent has contributed 13 saves in four appearances, posting a 1.25 goals-against average.
CINCINNATI-CLERMONT COUGARS
The Cougars enter Thursday's matchup with an 0-9 record under head coach Chris Norris.
Cincinnati-Clermont has struggled offensively this season, scoring five goals through nine matches while allowing 47.
The Cougars have recorded 36 shots, including 29 on goal, and have earned 17 corner kicks.
Hatungimana Jacques leads Cincinnati-Clermont with two goals and one assist for five points. He has recorded six shots, including three on goal, in five appearances.
Jake Menz has added one goal and one assist for three points while appearing in all nine matches.
Bailey Sims-Sharpe and Trey Wynn have also contributed one goal apiece.
In goal, the Cougars have used multiple goalkeepers throughout the season.
Nick Mangold has appeared in seven matches, recording 31 saves and a .554 save percentage. Andres Ramirez has appeared in six matches, totaling 47 saves and a .723 save percentage.
Cincinnati-Clermont has allowed an average of 5.22 goals per match while scoring just 0.56 goals per contest.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Midway enters Thursday's contest holding a significant advantage in several offensive categories.
The Eagles have scored 30 goals this season compared to five for Cincinnati-Clermont. Midway has also recorded 23 assists, while the Cougars have totaled two.
Midway averages 14.6 shots per match, compared to Cincinnati-Clermont's 4.0.
The Eagles have recorded 87 shots on goal and 60 corner kicks, while the Cougars have registered 29 shots on goal and 17 corners.
Midway has been particularly effective in the second half this season, scoring 20 of its 30 goals after halftime.
The Cougars have allowed 47 goals through nine matches, while Midway has surrendered 18 in 11 contests.
LAST MEETING
The Eagles delivered one of their most dominant performances of the season when the two programs met on Sept. 25 at Midway Turf Field.
Midway defeated Cincinnati-Clermont 10-0, recording 37 shots while holding the Cougars to just one.
The Eagles also registered 25 shots on goal, tying the program's single-game record.
George Spencer led the offensive attack with a hat trick, while Saleh Ekuchi continued his strong offensive stretch.
Midway controlled the contest from the opening minutes, with Rhys Dickson scoring just 34 seconds into the match.
The Eagles will look to build on that performance Thursday as they attempt to complete the season sweep.
HISTORICAL
Midway holds a 3-1 advantage in the all-time series against Cincinnati-Clermont.
The Cougars won the first meeting between the programs in 2023, earning a 2-1 victory.
Since then, the Eagles have won three consecutive meetings, including a 9-4 victory in 2024, a 2-0 win in 2025 and a 10-0 victory earlier this season.
Midway has outscored Cincinnati-Clermont 21-4 during its three-game winning streak in the series.
Thursday's contest will mark the fifth all-time meeting between the two programs.
About Midway University Athletics
Midway University competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and its 29 athletic teams are part of the River States Conference, Mid-South Conference, Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association and USA Archery. For more information about Midway University Athletics, please visit www.gomidwayeagles.com or contact Tyler Beck at 859-846-5366.
