SIUE (3-2-1, 0-0 MVC)  
at Evansville (2-0-2, 0-0 MVC) 
Sat., Sep. 17, 6 p.m. 
Live stats: gopurpleaces.com/sidearmstats/msoc
Live video: ESPN3.com

THE COUGARS: Open conference play at Evansville Saturday. SIUE begins its ninth season in the MVC.

FIVE ALIVE: SIUE's five goals against USI were the Cougars' most in a game since returning to Division I in 2008 and the first since a 5-0 win over Wisconsin-Parkside in September 2007.  

SQUAD GOALS: SIUE leads the Missouri Valley Conference in total goals with 11, which ranks 39th Nationally, and total points with 32, which ranks 46th in the NCAA.

WE'RE GOING STREAKING: Paul Palacin is SIUE and the MVC's leading goal-scorer with five, which ranks eighth in the NCAA. He has scored in four consecutive games.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Palacin earned Offensive Player of the Week honors in the MVC Sep. 6 after scoring three goals, including two game winners, against Lindenwood and Southern Indiana.

SERIES STUFF: The Cougars own a 13-7-4 advantage in the all-time series, but are 4-5-3 in Evansville in the series. In conference play, the Cougars are 5-3-1 against the Purple Aces. Last year the Cougars and Aces split the season series, with the road team winning each time. Last year's 4-0 win by SIUE was its largest in the series. 
  
BETWEEN THE PIPES: Eric Bauche and Sam Gomez have split time in goal, each making three starts. Bauche has made three starts and has two shutouts. Sam Gomez has played three games and made two saves Tuesday against Saint Louis. Both goalkeepers have been a part of the program for several years, but neither had played in a regular season game.