SIUE (6-0-2, 1-0-0 OVC) at Eastern Illinois (2-4-2,1-0-0 OVC)
Sun, Oct. 1, 1:00 p.m.
Lakeside Field, Charleston, Illinois

OPENING ACT: SIUE is unbeaten through its first eight games for the first time since the return to Division I in 2008. SIUE is one of 10 unbeaten teams remaining in the NCAA. 

RANK AND FILE: SIUE is receiving votes in this week's CollegeSoccerNews.com poll. 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.

GOALS, GOALS, GOALS: The six goals Thursday 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 shots Sep. 22 against Webster. It marked the most shots in a game since a 2016 game against Central Arkansas (29). Thursday at Southern Indiana, SIUE put a season-best 17 shots on goal. 

THE SERIES: Eastern Illinois is one of SIUE's most played opponent, with the two teams having met 30 previous times in men's soccer. The OVC is the third different conference the teams have shared. The Cougars and Panthers haven't played since 2015. SIUE has won each of the previous four meetings. 

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Wes Gibson was named the OVC Defensive Player of the Week Monday. He became the fifth Cougar to win an OVC weekly award. Sam Gomez (Goalkeeper 3X), Mitchell Murphy (Offensive), Aaron Crabtree (Defensive), Will Harris (Defensive) have earned OVC awards. 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 leads the OVC with a 0.63 goals against average, which ranks 15th in the NCAA. He also leads the league with an .833 save percentage, which ranks 14th 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 six times in eight games this year. SIUE is five for six in penalty attempts with four different players scoring.