SIUE Cougars (7-3-2, 5-0-0 OVC) vs. UIW Cardinals (4-5-2, 2-2-1 OVC)
Thu., Oct. 17, 7:00 p.m. 
Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium
San Antonio, Texas

LAST TIME: The Cougars scored twice in the second half to secure their fifth straight victory and remain undefeated in OVC play with a 3-1 win over Liberty Sunday in Edwardsville. 

OVC-IT: SIUE is unbeaten in its second season of OVC men's soccer. The Cougars captured the first OVC Regular Season and Tournament titles in 2023 with a 9-0-1 record.

TITLE TOWN: The regular season title was the first OVC title for a men's program at SIUE in any sport.

BRONZE BOOT STAYING IN EDWARDSVILLE: SIUE's shutout of the Billikens Sep. 8 means the Bronze Boot stays in Edwardsville for a second consecutive year. It is the first time the Cougars have won back-to-back games in the series since wins in 1979 and 1980.

PENALTY BOX: SIUE is now 2-2 in penalty kicks. Yasha Schaerer (Saint Louis) and Nacho Abeal (at Lindenwood) have both converted. The Cougars were given a penalty nine times in 20 games last year. SIUE was eight for nine in penalty attempts with five different players scoring.

HOW MAY I ASSIST YOU: Yasha Schaerer assisted on all three goals in SIUE's 3-0 win over Eastern Illinois Oct. 3. It was the first time a Cougar had three assists in a game since 2006.

THE SERIES: SIUE and UIW met twice last year with the Cougars winning both games, both in Edwardsville. The Cougars defeated the Cardinals in the OVC Tournament final 1-0.

AT THE HELM: 2023 OVC Coach of the Year Cale Wassermann is in his sixth season in charge of the Cougars, and his 11th overall as a head coach. He has a record of 47-33-13 (.571) in five seasons at SIUE. 

TAKE YOUR SHOT: SIUE recorded a season-high 27 shots at Lindenwood Thursday. It was the most shots in a game for the Cougars since they took 29 shots in a 2016 game against Central Arkansas. Of the Cougars' 131 total shots this season, 67 have been on goal and their .511 shot accuracy is second best in the OVC and No. 9 in the NCAA. 

BETWEEN THE PIPES: After the graduation of OVC Goalkeeper of the Year Sam Gomez, the Cougars have turned to grad transfer Rob Gjelaj. He appeared in 55 games making 53 starts over four seasons at Division II Northwood University in Midland, Michigan. He finished as the school's all-time saves leader with 319. Last season he was fourth in DII with 97 saves. Gjelaj is second in the OVC in saves per game (4.50) which ranks 17th in the NCAA. He leads the league in total saves with 54, which ranks 10th nationally, and save percentage (.818), which is 13th. His six shutouts are tied for fifth nationally.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Nacho Abeal was chosen as OVC Offensive Player of the Week, for the first time Tuesday. Gjelaj earned the nod as Goalkeeper of the Week for the fifth time this year.