EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville men's soccer team defeated Mercyhurst College 6-1 and advanced to the NCAA second round Friday at Korte Stadium.
         The Cougars play next for the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championship Saturday at 7 p.m. versus Northern Kentucky University at Korte Stadium. SIUE will be looking to make it three straight Great Lakes Region titles
         Ross Beveridge gave the Cougars, ranked No. 6 nationally in the latest NSCAA/NCAA Division II Coaches Poll, the lead at 18:29 in the first half with a goal from five yards out off of an assist from Mike Banner.
         Less than ten minutes later, the Cougars struck again with a goal by Dustin Attarian after receiving a pass from Kevin Thibodeau three yards in front of the goal with 1832 left to play in the first half.
         Mercyhurst, ranked No. 25 nationally, struck back with a goal by Andy Tait with an assist going to Jeffrey Powell with 3:11 left to play in the first half. The goal put the Lakers down 2-1 heading into the second half, but it was their final goal of the game.
         SIUE put the game away in the second half first with a goal by Kevin Bielicki off of an assist from Randy Roy at 56:12. Following a red card to Merychurst's Nicholas Thompson, Beveridge rang up his second goal of the game with an unassisted shot from 10 yards out. The goal put the Cougars up 4-1 with 19:32 left to play.
         Matt Harris then iced the game for the Cougars with two goals at 80:27 and 85:51.
                  -siue cougars-