SIUE (8-0-3, 3-0-1 OVC) vs. UIW (5-4-3, 3-1-0 OVC)
Thu, Oct. 12, 6:00 p.m. CT
Bob Guelker Field / Ralph Korte Stadium
Edwardsville, Illinois

OPENING ACT: SIUE is unbeaten through its first 11 games for the first time since the return to Division I in 2008. SIUE is one of seven unbeaten teams remaining in the NCAA. The Cougars' .864 winning percentage is third best in the NCAA. 

RANK AND FILE: SIUE is ranked No. 3 in the United Soccer Coaches North Region poll. The Cougars landed at No. 18 in the Sept. 5 United Soccer Coaches national poll, marking the first time SIUE had been nationally ranked in the poll since the Spring 2021 season.

DE-FENCE: SIUE boasts the top defense in the OVC. It's team goals against average of 0.64 ranks eighth in the NCAA. The Cougars' goal differential is +17, which is ninth in the NCAA.

GOALS, GOALS, GOALS: The six goals Sept. 28 at Southern Indiana were the most in a game for the Cougars since a 7-0 win against Saint Joseph's in 2006.

TAKE YOUR SHOT: SIUE unleashed a season-high 26 total shots Sep. 22 against Webster. It marked the most shots in a game since a 2016 game against Central Arkansas (29). Sept. 28 at Southern Indiana, SIUE put a season-best 17 shots on goal. 

THE MATCHUP: SIUE and UIW are meeting for the first time in men's soccer. The teams are tied for first with 10 points from four conference games. The Cardinals have reeled off three straight wins in OVC play coming into the match.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Mitchell Murphy earned his second Offensive Player of the Week award Monday, while Sam Gomez was named Goalkeeper of the Week for the fifth time. Aaron Crabtree (Defensive), Wes Gibson (Defensive) and Will Harris (Defensive) also have earned OVC awards. Gomez was named to TopDrawerSoccer.com's national Team of the Week (9/4). Nic Muench was named to CollegeSoccerNews.com's national Team of the Week (9/4).