SIUE (7-0-3, 2-0-1 OVC) at Liberty (7-3,2-1-0 OVC)
Sun, Oct. 8, 12:00 p.m. CT
Osborne Stadium, Lynchburg, Virginia

OPENING ACT: SIUE is unbeaten through its first 10 games for the first time since the return to Division I in 2008. SIUE is one of nine unbeaten teams remaining in the NCAA. The Cougars' .850 winning percentage is fifth best in the NCAA. 

RANK AND FILE: SIUE is ranked No. 2 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, when it was No. 25 in March. The Cougars were featured in the College Soccer News poll in 2018.

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 SERIES: SIUE and Liberty are meeting for the first time in men's soccer. Liberty and SIUE were picked No. 1 and No. 2 respectively in the league's preseason poll. Liberty is the highest scoring team in the OVC (2.6 goals per game), while SIUE is second (2.2).

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Wes Gibson earned his second straight OVC Defensive Player of the Week Monday, while Sam Gomez was named Goalkeeper of the Week for the fourth time. Mitchell Murphy (Offensive), Aaron Crabtree (Defensive), 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 0.70 goals against average, which ranks 18th in the NCAA. He also leads the league with an .816 save percentage, which ranks 17th nationally. In eight games last year, Gomez finished with a 1.38 goals against average and a .645 save percentage.