EVANSVILLE, Ind. – SIUE men's soccer opened its first ever Ohio Valley Conference season with its most prolific offensive output since returning to NCAA Division I play, dominating Southern Indiana 6-0 on the road Thursday.

The win keeps the Cougars unbeaten to start the season at 6-0-2. USI dropped to 1-7-0.

"The boys were awesome tonight," SIUE Head Coach Cale Wassermann said. "We had a good mix of creativity and confidence, and we took smart chances. I liked what we did in possession, and we kept a clean sheet."

SIUE led 3-0 at half before adding another three in the second half. The six goals are the most in a game for the Cougars since a 7-0 win against Saint Joseph's in 2006.  

In total, 10 different SIUE players recorded a goal or an assist in Thursday's game.

"We spread it out really well," Wassermann said. "I like how balanced our attack is."

Alsadiq Hasan opened the scoring in the 18^th minute when SIUE took a ball away from the Southern Indiana backline. Quick passes from Stephan Moreira and Jake Karolczak got the ball on the foot of Hasan who slid home for his team-leading fifth goal of the year.

It is the sixth time this season that SIUE has scored first. The Cougars have won all six of those games.

"It helps so much to score first," Wassermann said. "It is a key element to how we want to play."

Mitchell Murphy made it 2-0 in the 26^th minute, again coming after a giveaway. Murphy hit a side volley, which skipped over USI goalkeeper Andrew Klott, who had come off his line. Karolczak picked up his second assist on the goal.

Jacob Bilyeu made it 3-0 before halftime when he took a long pass from Pavel Dashin to the left wing. Bilyeu cut in and scored at the near post.

Delascio made it 4-0 eight minutes into the second half when he scored after a short cross from Moreira. Delascio then struck for his second of the night when he banged home a rebound after an initial shot from Sam Layton was saved.

Connor Gramke cashed in on a penalty kick in the 80^th minute for his first goal as a Cougar.

SIUE played a total of 20 players in the game, including redshirt freshman Garrison Hill who made his collegiate debut.

"It helps us rest starting guys, because we recognize we have another game in three days," Wassermann said. "But they were important to the game. Garrison making his debut and Connor getting his first goal are important," Wassermann said. "We like to celebrate those things."

The Cougars outshot the Screaming Eagles 21-2. The 21 shots were the second most in a game, after the 26 in the previous game against Webster. SIUE took 17 shots on goal, which is a season high.

Sam Gomez made one save on his way to his third shutout of the season.

The Cougars continue their OVC schedule with a 1 p.m. game Sunday at Eastern Illinois.