SIUE (3-0-0, 0-0-0 OVC) at Kansas City (1-2-1, 0-0-0 Summit)
Fri., Sep. 8, 7:30 p.m.
Durwood Soccer Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

OPENING ACT: SIUE has started the season 3-0-0 for the first time since the postponed 2020 season in Spring 2021.

RANK AND FILE: The Cougars landed at No. 18 in this week's United Soccer Coaches poll. SIUE also is receiving votes in this week's College Soccer News poll. This is the first time SIUE has been nationally ranked in the United Soccer Coaches 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.

THIS SEASON: The Cougars return 13 letter winners, while losing nine letter winners. SIUE returns three of its four top scorers from a season ago, while losing leading scorer Pau Palacin (10 points). SIUE will have 12 players who are new to the roster or who have not appeared in a game. 

SERIES STUFF: SIUE and Kansas City have met 11 previous times, with the Cougars holding a 6-5 edge in the all-time series. SIUE is 3-2 in five previous games in Kansas City. The Roos earned a 1-0 win in the last meeting, playing in Edwardsville during the 2021 season.

BRONZE BOOT BACK IN EDWARDSVILLE: For the first time in 41 years, SIUE captured the Bronze Boot with a 2-0 win over then-No. 15 Saint Louis Saturday night at CITYPARK. 

AT THE HELM: Head Coach Cale Wassermann is in his fifth season in charge of the Cougars, and his 10th as a head coach. He has an overall career record of 66-52-25. 

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Mitchell Murphy (Offensive), Will Harris (Defensive) and Sam Gomez (Goalkeeper) were named Ohio Valley Conference players of the week Tuesday. Gomez also was named to TopDrawerSoccer.com's national Team of the Week. Nic Muench was named to CollegeSoccerNews.com's national Team of the Week.