Beginning on or after September 26, the intersection of Walnut and Weinbach will be completely closed as part of the City of Evansville's Refresh project. The closure is expected to last for 30 to 45 days due to potential complications with the water force main connection. Work will not take place on holidays or weekends and the timing could also be impacted by weather.

Construction Work: The construction work will involve a complete rebuild of the intersection. This includes the connection of a new force water main, installation of storm sewers, updating traffic signals, creating ADA-compliant curbs, and constructing a concrete intersection.

Parking Changes: Parking in lot Q will be restricted to the south spaces near the curb along the Townhouses. All middle and north side spaces will be closed off, and orange barrels will be placed to facilitate safe delivery vehicle access to Central Receiving.

Parking Enforcement: We want to emphasize that the restrictions will be strictly enforced. Towing will only occur if a parked car creates a critical safety issue or blocks other vehicles from using the designated route. Our goal is to ensure safety and minimize disruptions during the construction period without unnecessary towing.

Traffic Flow: Signage will be placed at the entrance to the lot, directing traffic to make a right turn into the lot using the north lane. Additionally, signage on Walnut west of Rotherwood will indicate "No Thru Traffic Allowed." A barricade will be placed in the straight eastbound lane at the Rotherwood/Walnut intersection. Delivery vehicles will have a route around the barricade using the left turn lane.

Median Turnaround: Bollards on Walnut between Ridgway and Carson Center will be removed by Facilities to allow a turnaround in the median for delivery vehicles to exit through the westbound lane of Walnut. A stop sign will be placed at the turnaround to control the traffic entering the westbound lane.

Walking Safety Tips: Be predictable and ensure you follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals and plan to walk on sidewalks whenever they are available. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible. Keep alert at all times; don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes (and ears) off the road. Whenever possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections, where drivers expect pedestrians. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right. If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross. Never assume a driver sees you. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach to make sure you are seen. Be visible at all times by wearing bright clothing during the day and wear reflective materials or use a flashlight at night. Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots. Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment.

Alternative Parking for Team Buses: Team buses can use Lot H or Lot O during this time.

September 19, 2023
7:30 p.m.
Wheeler Concert Hall

The UE Music Conservatory presents a faculty recital featuring Assistant Professor of Music, Charles du Preez on clarinet and Consortium Instructor of Music, Leanne Hampton on flute in a recital featuring music spanning nearly 240 years including works by Anna Bon Di Venezia, Valentino Bucchir, Valerie Coleman, Victor Babin, and Florent Schmitt. Du Preez and Hampton will be joined by Adjunct Instructor of Music Robert Nicholls on harpsichord and Ryan Luttrull on piano.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Join us for a fun-filled evening with free food, music, and a chance to know our organization and its community better. Please feel free to bring your favorite dishes from your family.

Tuesday, Sept 19 at 7:00 PM on the East Terrace Lawn

Eduardo Chavez, director, speaker, podcast host and grandson of legendary civil rights activist Cesar Chavez will be on the campus of University of Evansville on Monday, October 2nd, as part of the university's honoring National Hispanic Heritage Month.

"Hailing Cesar," a documentary directed by and featuring Chavez, will be shown at 5pm in the Eykamp Hall on the campus of the University of Evansville.

There will be a question and answer session with Chavez after the documentary.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Engineering, Business & Technology Career Fair

Tuesday, September 19th

12:30pm-3pm

Eykamp Hall, RUC

Register in Handshake TODAY!! Join us as we welcome nearly 50 employer to campus, all recruting for internships, full time and part time positions. Not looking for position right now? You will still not want to miss a chance to network with employers in your field.

Questions? Contact the Center for Career Development at career@evansville.edu.

Come check out what is happening at the fitness center, located in the back of Carson Center! Here is our Fall 2023 class schedule for the semester. Our classes include pickleball, insanity (high intensity bodyweight workout), total body fitness (weighttraining workout), WERQ (dance fitness class), mediation, open swim, and yoga. Be on the lookout for other classes added throughout the semester. These classes are free of charge to all students, faculty, and staff. UE members may also bring a guest with them for a $3 fee. There is something for everyone to do to get involved and be active! We can't wait to see you there Aces!

2023 Fall Class Schedule

*Meditation will begin September 19th, 2023*
*All other classes will begin September 11th , 2023*
**Saturday & Sunday – Open Swim 3 pm-5 pm**
*Open Swim will begin pending lifeguard availability*

Classes are free for enrolled students, faculty, and staff.

For further information, please contact the Fitness Center at 488-2397 or check www.imleagues.com (Fitness/Classes) and follow the UE Fitness Center on Facebook and Instagram @uefitness_center.

UE's Center for Innovation & Change has partnered with the Red Cross and Alpha Phi Omega, our Co-Ed Service Fraternity, to help meet desperate need for blood in our community. Make plans now to donate blood on Tuesday, September 26, anytime between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.!

To make your appointment, go to https://www.redcrossblood.org/ and type "UE" in the code or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Our first career fair of this academic year is fast approaching! Mark your calendar!

Engineering, Business & Technology Career Fair

Tuesday, September 19th

12:30pm-3pm

Eykamp Hall, Ridgway University Center

Register in Handshake.

We encourage you to bring your resume to this event. If you need to create a resume or update your existing one, we can help! Scheduling an appointment with our office is easy- do it online in Handshake or by calling 812-488-1083.

Any questions? Let us know! career@evansville.edu

Welcome to the Mental Wellness Bingo, your Fall Healthy Behavior Challenge! This challenge will run from September 25th - October 29th.

Mental health plays a big role in your overall well-being. The goal of this 5-week challenge is to take on a holistic approach to nurturing your overall mental health.

Each day, you will find a mental wellness activity on your bingo card that will touch on either:

• Nutrition
• Physical health
• Social health
• Connection
• Boundaries & Mindset

You do not have to go in order of the bingo card! Each day, choose an activity that best serves you in the moment. This will give you the chance to reflect on what you're in-need of during that time. We will also share some weekly mental wellness resources to give tips, tricks, and information to better your mental health.

Those who get a “blackout” and complete all of the daily activities will be entered into a gift card drawing. There will be 8 chances to win a $25 gift card! Earn a one-time $150 in HRA credits for successfully completing the challenge!!

Interested in signing up? 

Click the link here to get your name on the list: https://forms.gle/Z6daq3eD8hPVbi2ZA

**We will email you a bingo card at the start of the challenge!

Email Taylor at taylor.kollak@ascension.org for more information or questions.

If you are interested in running a ChangeLab in Spring '24 or have an idea that you'd like to develop into a ChangeLab, please fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/efChbDmWJfEWD3LH7. Proposals are due by October 13! If you have any questions feel free to contact Andrew Carter at ac116@evansville.edu.

We're excited to announce that Dr. Kyle Matsel joined News Anchor Shelly Kirk for an insightful conversation about the groundbreaking PhD in Health Professions Education program. In this exclusive interview, Dr. Matsel shed light on the program's unique features, its impact on healthcare education, and the exciting opportunities it presents for aspiring educators and professionals in the healthcare field. Watch the replay.

Attention Faculty Colleagues! ECTE welcomes proposals and suggestions for Faculty Interest Groups (FIGs) to be offered in the Fall 2023 semester. These groups are faculty-led and can cover a wide range of interests. The goal is to stay engaged with your colleagues and grow in your pedagogical development!

FIG proposal form: https://forms.office.com/r/u48ite0WQh

Please complete the form by the end of the day on Wednesday, September 20th. After ECTE has collected your responses, we will reach out to possible FIG leaders and then send another form to all faculty to sign up for the FIGs planned this semester.

Contact ecte@evansville.edu for more information.

The University of Evansville (UE) has formed a partnership with Ascend Indiana to connect more students to good and promising career opportunities in Indiana. Through the Ascend Network, the initiative's online job matching platform, UE students will be able to connect with Indiana jobs and internships that match their skill sets and interests and will receive increased one-on-one career guidance and job search support. In addition, this partnership provides Indiana's leading employers with a unique platform for hiring UE students.

Since its inception in 2017, Ascend has connected more than 4,000 Hoosiers with jobs and training opportunities in all sectors across the state. Nearly 700 employers are currently using the Network.

"We are thrilled to embark on this transformative partnership with Ascend Indiana, which will provide our University of Evansville students with enhanced career opportunities and invaluable one-on-one support," said Dianna Cundiff, director of the Center for Career Development. "This collaboration goes beyond the exceptional career assistance we already provide, offering our students a direct pathway to meaningful internships and jobs that align with their passions and skills. By connecting our students to Indiana's leading employers through the Ascend Network, we are reinforcing our commitment to their professional success and the continued growth of our community."

The Network adds a robust resource to the school's efforts to help students find jobs and internships that align with their career goals and provides a lens into the variety of companies and opportunities here in the Hoosier state.

"It is critical for Indiana to retain more college students with relevant skills and abilities to meet employer demand for talent," said Jason Kloth, president and CEO of Ascend Indiana. "Partnering with educational institutions such as the University of Evansville is essential to equipping students with the necessary tools to get their career started here through an internship or early-in-career job, as well as to helping employers connect to the talent they need."

The Ascend Network is a resource offered through the Center for Career Development and at no cost to students. Through the Network, students receive personalized job and internship recommendations that lead to meaningful careers in Indiana. During the job search, application and interview process, the Center for Career Development, will continue to provide individualized support and educational resources, in partnership with Ascend. Students can find out more information here: https://ascendindiana.com/.

About Ascend Indiana

An initiative of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), Ascend Indiana is committed to making Indiana a place of economic opportunity for all. Ascend connects job seekers to good and promising career opportunities through an innovative job matching platform, the Ascend Network; catalyzes partnerships and provides consulting services to meet high-demand workforce needs through Ascend Services; and conducts research through Ascend Insights to enable systems-level change that positively impacts individuals throughout the state. To learn more, visit ascendindiana.com.

Do play a brass, woodwind, or percussion instrument? If so, come join the Aces Pep Band. An organizational meeting will be held on Monday, September 18 at 4:00pm in room 110 of the Krannert Fine Arts building. Rehearsals will begin Monday, September 25. For more information contact Dr. Kenneth Steinsultz at ks306@evansville.edu

The Exercise Science and second year DPT students will be conducting community balance assessments as part of the Bronstein Geriatric Wellness Program.  We are looking for 24 participants who are 55 years or older to take part in these assessments.  Faculty will be present to assist the students throughout the assessments. Please share this opportunity with anyone you think might be interested and able to participate.  The participant does not need to be able to walk but should at least be able to stand for the assessments.  

Who: Exercise Science and 2nd year DPT students

What:  DPT students will complete testing of your balance, educate you on the findings during the testing, and provide you with a home exercise program

When: 10/24/2023 Session 1 from 1:00-2:30 or Session 2 from 2:30-4:00

Where: Carson Center, Maikranz Gym

Why: To improve the balance and mobility of the community through the Bronstein Geriatric Wellness Program initiative

Participants can contact Dr. Charlene Nolen at ck39@evansville.edu to sign up or seek further information.

On March 23, 2018, the President signed Public Law 115-141, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, which included an amendment to Section 473(b) of the Higher Education Act, authorizing the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship.

Under this scholarship, a Pell-eligible student whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer is eligible to receive a maximum Pell Grant for the award year for which the determination of eligibility is made.

Eligibility: 

• Student must be Pell-eligible and have a Pell-eligible EFC
• Student must be less than 24 years of age or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of his or her parent’s or guardian’s death
• For purposes of the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship, a public safety officer is:
  • As defined in section 1204 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796b); or
  • A firefighter or police officer, defined as an individual who is serving in accordance with State or local law as an officially recognized or designated member of a legally organized public safety agency and provides scene security or directs traffic in response to any fire drill, fire call, or other fire, rescue, or police emergency, or at a planned special event.

If you believe you are eligible, please contact the Office of Student Financial Services.

The University of Evansville Women's Basketball program is currently searching for male students who are interested in joining the program as practice players for the 2023-2024 academic year. Any full-time UE student, undergraduate or graduate, is welcome to apply. A good attitude, strong work ethic and previous basketball playing exeperince at the high school or a requisite level are required.

Students interested in being practice players must be available for multiple practices a week. Practice is typically held in the afternoon or early evening during the week, as well as multiple weekends.

Practice players will participate in day to day practice which include scrimmages versus the team, practice drills, opponent scouting and simulations designed by the coaching staff. Participants will also get hands-on experience in collegiate athletics working with coaches, players, support staff, and administration. This position offers valuable real-world experience for any student who is interested in pursuing a career in sports administration, coaching, or a related field. Lastly, practice players will experience an exciting, family-oriented environment that will positively impact their college experience.

In addition, participants will receive authentic team gear and occasional team meals.

Any students interested in being a practice player or who have any questions about the position should contact Van Klohmann at vk41@evansville.edu.

As part of our commitment to fostering academic excellence and enriching educational experiences at UE, we are excited to announce the launch of our annual Campus Giving Campaign as a part of FORWARD>> The Campaign for the University. Gifts to the university—no matter the size of the contribution—send powerful messages to our students about the importance of philanthropy in private education and about paying it forward. Thank you for your leadership in demonstrating this generosity.

New this year is an online workflow payroll deduction form, located at workflow.evansville.edu. Hover over the Advancement tab and select Giving Deduction to complete your payroll deduction selection. After submission, you will receive an email once it is processed by Payroll and University Advancement.

You have a special view of how philanthropy affects the university in diverse ways. We encourage you to choose how your support will make an impact inside the university. Your support has the power to shape lives, drive innovation, and build a stronger campus.

Payroll deduction also lends itself to becoming a President’s Club member, which is our gift society of donors who contribute at least $1,000 in combined gifts per fiscal year. One benefit of becoming a President’s Club member is receiving a campus parking hangtag which allows you to park anywhere on campus (except for the Admissions’ purple parking in front oval and handicap spots).

Every year, we come together as a community to make a collective impact that transcends the boundaries of our campus. This year is no different, and we invite you to join us in empowering the future generation of leaders, thinkers, and changemakers.

To learn more about FORWARD>> The Campaign for the University of Evansville, visit forward.evansvlle.edu.

If you have questions about giving, please contact University Advancement at x2586 or alumni@evansville.edu.

Thank you and go Aces!

"95% of your restricted gift will directly support that area of campus while 100% of your unrestricted giving will support the University's greatest needs operationally.

The Department of Art presents Hannah Evelyn Jone's exhibit "Mending Threads of Identity" in the Krannert Gallery through October 15, 2023.  Gallery hours are Mon - Sat 8:00am-8:00pm and Sun noon - 8:00pm.

The UE Friends of Art and the UE Department of Art present Billy Twymon's exhibit "Reflections: A Study of What One Sees" in the Melvin Peterson Gallery from Sept 5 through October 21, 2023.

Please join us for a reception and artist lecture in the Gallery on Thursday, September 14 at 6:30PM.

Gallery hours are Mon, Tues, Fri, & Sat 12:00pm - 3:00pm and Wed & Thurs 12:00pm - 6:00 pm.

David Green of the Department of History, Politics and Social Change and Harlaxton College has published a second edition of his book 'Edward the Black Prince: A Study of Power in Medieval Europe' (Routledge, 2023). He has also contributed an introduction to a newly published translation of the chronicles of the late medieval Portuguese chronicler Fernao Lopes (Boydell Press, 2023).

Friday’s trip to Knoxville, Tennessee saw the University of Evansville volleyball team put up an impressive challenge before dropping matches against #15 Tennessee and Chicago State at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Match 1 – Chicago State 3, UE 0

Giulia Cardona had a team-high 12 kills and Ainoah Cruz posted 10 digs in a 3-0 defeat to Chicago State in Friday’s opener.  Kora Ruff finished the match with 24 assists while Madisyn Steele added two blocks.

Game 1 – Chicago State 25, UE 20

Brooke Springer opened the match with a kill before Cardona and Luana Gazda Kuhn added kills of their own to give the Purple Aces a 5-1 lead.  The Cougars stormed back with four in a row to tie it up before using a 3-0 run to turn a 9-9 game into a 12-9 lead.

After CSU went up by four points (15-11), UE made a rally to cut the deficit to 16-15 before CSU retook control and clinch a 25-20 win.

Game 2 – Chicago State 25, UE 20

Set #2 followed a similar script to the opening one as Evansville had the early momentum with a Melanie Feliciano kill giving her team a 3-1 advantage.  Chicago State responded with three in a row to take their first lead at 4-3.  With the score tied up at 8-8, the Cougars wrestled away a 10-8 lead and would fend off multiple challenges to take a 2-0 match lead.

After CSU opened a 16-12 lead, a kill by Cardona highlighted a run that saw the Aces get within one (18-17), but once against, the Cougars put together a late run to finish the set.

Game 3 – Chicago State 25, UE 13

Another close set in the early going with six ties leading to a 7-7 score.  The Cougars slowly opened a 14-9 lead and would cruise to a 25-13 victory to clinch the match.  In total, they completed the set on a 16-5 run.

Match 2 – Tennessee 3, UE 0

Leading the way in the second match was Melanie Feliciano with 10 kills with Giulia Cardona adding eight.  Cardona also led the way with eight digs while Kora Ruff tallied 27 assists.  Jenaisya Moore paced the Volunteers with 14 kills while hitting .500.

Game 1 – Tennessee 25, UE 18

Helped by an early service ace, Tennessee jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the opening game.  Emilee Scheumann picked up a kill to tie things up at 5-5 before the Volunteers jumped back in front at 11-8.  Once again, the Aces fought back, taking advantage of a pair of UT errors to tie the score at 11-11.

Up 13-12, Tennessee scored six of the next seven on their way to a 25-18 win and a 1-0 match lead.

Game 2 – Tennessee 25, UE 13

With the set tied at 4-4 in the early moments of the second set, Tennessee went on a 14-3 run to open an 18-7 lead.  The deficit was too much to overcome with UT taking the 25-13 victory and a 2-0 lead.

Game 3 – Tennessee 25, UE 23

Showing a great deal of fight, the Aces put up a strong effort in game three.  Things were close for the duration of the set.  An ace from Cardona put the Aces up 5-4 while Tennessee would retake the lead at 7-5 with an ace of their own.

Things looked to be going the Volunteers’ way when a kill put them up 17-14, forcing a time out by Evansville.  Madisyn Steele immediately registered a kill while Luana Gazda Kuhn posted an ace to get UE within one.  With the score tied up at 18-18, UE reeled off four in a row as Maddie Hawkins picked up an ace to put the Aces in position for the set win.  Unfortunately, Tennessee had other ideas, scoring six points in a row on their way to clinching the match with the 25-23 win.

Missouri Valley Conference play opens next weekend with UE on the road to face Murray State and Belmont.

The University of Evansville cross country teams raced its first full course on Saturday morning at the John McNichols Invitational hosted by Indiana State.

Both the men's and the women's cross-country teams placed 15th of 18 teams at the John McNichols Invitational on the Leslie Gordon Championship Cross Country Course. The men's team averaged a time of 26:31.0 for 8K while the women's team averaged a time of 19:45.0 for the 5K. Sonja Inzinger paced all Purple Aces runners finishing 36th with a time of 18:28.7. On the men's side, Samuel Lea was top of the pack for the second meet in a row with a time of 25:54.9 and a 75th place finish. 

"Today's meet was our first 5K and 8K for the newcomers and I believe we learned a lot today," said Head Coach Brooks LeCompte. "We had a conservative start to training but now we are deep into it and it showed as our athletes raced on tired legs. We still had some solid performances and we know that the season is only just beginning.

"I've learned as a coach that we don't want to start too hot so the team doesn't run out of fuel by the end of the season. We're excited to have our first 5K and 8K meet finished and we're ready to keep training and see the full squad competing for the first time at Louisville in two weeks!"

Evansville had nine men's runners finish the 8K course in Terre Haute with seven placing in the top 125. Returners Adam Oulgout and Joey Taylor each improved their times on the Leslie Gordon Championship Course from 2022 by over 20 seconds. Oulgout placed 92nd with a time of 26:28.7 compared to his MVC time in 2022 of 26:56.7 while Taylor finished with a time of 28:26.2 compared to 28:52.0. Also placing for UE on the men's side were Rafael Rodriguez at 78th, Alvaro Monfort at 101st, Woody Burrell at 113th, Tommaso Losma at 116th and Owen Culpin at 121st. 

On the women's side, the Aces had all six runners place ranging from Inzinger at 36th to Stephenson at 104th. Freshman Nayla Martin placed 74th with a time of 19:11.3 while graduate transfer Sarah Vanderhoof-Dossett placed 86th with a time of 19:54.3. Kyndall Anthis finished 101st with a time of 20:37.4. Shelby Bastin finished 102nd with a time of 20:38.1 and rounding out the women's side was Avery Stephenson in 104th place with a time of 20:53.4. 

UE cross-country returns to action in two weeks at one of the largest cross-country meets in the country. Evansville will run in the Live in Lou Classic hosted by Louisville on Saturday, Sept. 30.

The University of Evansville men's soccer team wasn't able to find a late game equalizer in a 2-1 loss to the Drake Bulldogs.

A goal in the final five minutes of Saturday evening's game was too much for the Purple Aces to overcome in their first game of conference play. UE's lone goal of the night came off a Drake mistake in a Bulldog own goal in the 36th minute. Forward Nacho Diaz Barragan and winger Nkosi Graham were the only Evansville players to record multiple shots through 90 minutes with two each.

The Aces found themselves down early as Drake scored on the first shot of the game in the 8th minute. The early goal spurred a response from UE with two shots and a corner kick over ten minutes. Evansville was able to get the first-half equalizer in the 36th minute just inside the goal box after being awarded a free kick. Midfielder Ola Arntsen touched the ball off the set piece, sending the ball in a direction where it deflected off two Bulldogs into the net. The Aces had the final shot of the first half in the 42nd minute to take momentum into the second.

It was all UE to begin the second 45 with two shots and a corner kick in seven minutes. After the initial drive to start the half, it became a back-and-forth game between the two teams as they traded a pair of shots. But a push from Drake in the final 15 minutes ended in a goal during the 86th minute, handing Evansville a 2-1 loss to begin Valley play.

The Aces return home for a big non-conference matchup on Tuesday night. UE welcomes the no. 5 Louisville Cardinals to Arad McCutchan Stadium on Sept. 19 for Evansville's only Tuesday game of the season. Kick-off is set for 6:30 p.m. on the 19th.

The University of Evansville men's soccer team will play its first conference game on the road on Saturday night.

The Purple Aces head to Cownie Soccer Complex for their first Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) game of the season to play the Drake Bulldogs. In their 2022 season meeting, UE held Drake scoreless in a big 3-0 win at Arad McCutchan Stadium with Kai Phillip and Nacho Diaz Barragan scoring for Evansville. The Aces will hope for a similar result on the road Saturday evening.

Evansville returned home to Arad McCutchan Stadium on Wednesday night after over two weeks away. The Aces took a point out of a tough contest with Lindenwood in a 2-2 tie in their brief return home. Senior forward Kai Phillip continues to be the offensive leader for UE in the month of September. Phillip added his fourth goal of the season on Wednesday night to lead Evansville in goals and points.

It will be a new look MVC for Evansville in men's soccer. After the Mid-American Conference discontinued sponsoring men's soccer in 2022, the MVC added former MAC members Western Michigan, Bowling Green, and Northern Illinois as affiliate members for 2023. Beginning conference play with a familiar opponent in Drake sets up the Aces for an exciting and new MVC men's soccer landscape. 

Drake comes into Saturday's game with a 1-4-1 record and their lone win coming against Western Illinois. The Bulldogs ended their opening non-conference stretch with a 2-2 draw against Omaha on Wednesday afternoon. On offense, Drake is led by midfielder Damian Segura with seven points from two goals and three assists. The Bulldogs have had two goalkeepers split time in net in Kevin Qi and Tommy Williams with 17 combined saves between the two. Qi earned the only win for Drake versus WIU.

University of Evansville sophomore forward Amy Velazquez’s (Avon, Ind./Avon) first career goal in the 82nd minute Friday night helped UE rally for a 1-1 draw at Illinois State at Adelaide Street Field in Normal, Illinois.  The match was the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both sides.

Velazquez collected a loose ball inside the penalty area and delivered a left-footed strike through a wall of Redbird defenders to net her first collegiate goal and help UE equalize the match at 1-1, after Evansville conceded a first-half own goal.  The Purple Aces nearly left Normal with a win, but sixth-year midfielder Nicole Benati’s strike from 30 yards out in the final minute just stayed above the crossbar.

Overall, Illinois State out-shot Evansville, 10-6, including holding a 4-2 edge in shots on goal.  UE senior goalkeeper Myia Danek recorded four saves though to help Evansville earn its fourth draw of the year.

With the tie, both teams move to the top of the MVC standings with one point each, as UE and Illinois State were the first Valley teams to play a conference match this year.  A majority of the Valley will be in action over the weekend for the first time in conference play.  UE (0-3-4, 0-0-1 MVC) will now return home to Arad McCutchan Stadium to host reigning MVC regular-season champion Valparaiso on Thursday night.  Kick-off is set for 6 p.m. and Thursday’s match can be seen live on ESPN+.

The Country Club of Paducah will be the scene for the second tournament of the season for the University of Evansville women’s golf team.  On Monday and Tuesday of next week, the Purple Aces will be at “The Velvet”, which is hosted by Murray State.

Monday will consist of 36 holes before the final round of 18 on Tuesday.  Play begins at 8:30 a.m. both days.  Par will be a 71 with the yardage set for 6,076.

A 12-team field consists of Bellarmine, Belmont, Evansville, Indiana Wesleyan, Murray State (2 teams), Northern Iowa, Northern Kentucky, Southern Illinois (2 teams), USI and Tennessee State.  The tournament is named in honor of former Murray State Coach Velvet Milkman

Evansville opened the season last weekend at the Redbird Invitational with Kate Petrova posting the top finish.  Carding a 2-over 74 in the third round, Petrova wrapped up the tournament with a 224, earning a 25th-place finish.

Trinity Dubbs was the second-highest finisher for UE.  Playing as an individual, she came home in 38th place with a 227.  Next up was Allison Enchelmayer.  Posting a 77 in the final round, she tallied a 3-round score of 228 and tied for 41st.  Jane Grankina recorded a score of 81 in all three rounds of the Redbird Invitational on her way to a 243.