SIUE (4-0-2, 0-0-0 OVC) vs. Webster (2-4-1, 0-0-0 SLIAC)
Fri, Sep. 22, 7:00 p.m.
Bob Guelker Field / Ralph Korte Stadium, Edwardsville, Illinois

OPENING ACT: SIUE is unbeaten through its first six games for the first time since the return to Division I in 2008.

RANK AND FILE: SIUE has at least received votes in all three polls at some point so far this year. The Cougars landed at No. 18 in the Sept. 5 United Soccer Coaches 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.

THE OPPOSITION: Friday night marks the first-ever meeting between SIUE and Webster in men's soccer. Webster, an NCAA Division III member, won two of its first three games, but is winless in its last four. The Gorlocks have been shutout in each of those four contests. 

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Sam Gomez earned his third Ohio Valley Conference Goalkeeper of the Week award Tuesday. Mitchell Murphy (Offensive), Aaron Crabtree (Defensive), Will Harris (Defensive) have earned OVC players of the week this season. Gomez also 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 picked up his third career shutout last Tuesday against Western Illinois. He leads the OVC with a 0.67 goals against average, which ranks 23rd in the NCAA. He also leads the league with an .857 save percentage, which ranks ninth nationally. In eight games last year, Gomez finished with a 1.38 goals against average and a .645 save percentage. 

PENALTY BOX: The Cougars have been awarded a penalty in three of their six games this year. SIUE is 3-0 in penalty attempts with three different players scoring. 

FIRST STRIKE: SIUE is 4-0-0 when scoring first this season. Last season, the Cougars were 5-1-2 when scoring first in a game. By contrast, SIUE was 0-7 when its opponent scored first. Related, the Cougars were 5-2-2 when leading or tied at halftime, but were 0-6 when trailing at halftime. SIUE led at halftime at Central Arkansas and has been tied in each of the last four games.