SIUE (9-0-3, 3-0-1 OVC) vs. Houston Christian (3-5-5, 1-1-3 OVC)
Sat, Oct. 14, 7:00 p.m. CT
Bob Guelker Field / Ralph Korte Stadium
Edwardsville, Illinois
OPENING ACT: SIUE is unbeaten through its first 12 games. It is the longest stretch to start a season since the 1997 team began 15-0-1. SIUE is one of seven unbeaten teams remaining in the NCAA. The Cougars' .875 winning percentage is tied for the second 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 0.58 ranks sevneth in the NCAA. The Cougars' goal differential is +20, which is sixth 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 HCU are meeting for the first time in men's soccer and as members of the OVC.
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).
BETWEEN THE PIPES: Gomez returns as the No. 1 goalkeeper after splitting time last season. He leads the OVC with a 0.58 goals against average, which ranks seventh in the NCAA. He also leads the league with an .863 save percentage, which ranks fifth nationally. In eight games last year, Gomez finished with a 1.38 goals against average and a .645 save percentage.
