SIUE Cougars (3-3-2, 1-0 OVC) vs. Eastern Illinois Panthers (1-5-1, 0-1 OVC)
Thu., Oct. 3, 6:00 p.m.
Bob Guelker Field / Ralph Korte Stadium
Edwardsville, Illinois
LAST TIME: The Cougars opened Ohio Valley Conference play with a 2-0 win over Lindenwood Saturday at Korte Stadium.
Yasha Schaerer added a goal and an assist. His game-winner came 46 seconds into the match.
OVC-IT: SIUE is playing its second season of OVC men's soccer. The Cougars captured the first OVC Regular Season and Tournament titles in 2023.
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's lone goal against Saint Louis came from a 62nd minute penalty kick by Yasha Shearer. It was the first penalty awarded to SIUE this year. 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.
HOME COOKING: Thursday's game is the fourth of five consecutive home games. SIUE plays three of the next four games at Korte Stadium, and the lone road game is "local" at Lindenwood.
THE SERIES: SIUE and Eastern Illinois have squared off 32 times in men's soccer. The Cougars have 20 wins in the series. SIUE swept the season series in 2023 and has won six straight.
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 43-33-13 in five seasons at SIUE.
TAKE YOUR SHOT: SIUE hasn't taken a lot of shots, but the shots it has taken are regularly on target. The Cougars are 201 of 205 Division I teams in shots per game (6.00). Of the Cougars' 59 total shots, 35 have been on goal and their .593 shot accuracy leads the NCAA.
SCORE! SIUE returns its four top scorers from a year ago including the OVC leader in goals
Pavel Dashin (9 goals, 19 points), OVC Forward of the Year
Stephan Moreira (17 points) OVC Tournament MVP
Nacho Abeal (14 points) and
Jake Karolczak (13 points). In all, the Cougars have 62 percent of their scoring returning.
SQUAD GOALS: The Cougars finished last season No. 6 in the NCAA in total goals with 45. They scored six goals Sept. 28 at Southern Indiana, which were the most in a game for the Cougars since a 7-0 win against Saint Joseph's in 2006.
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 (4.75) which ranks 19th in the NCAA. He leads the league in total saves with 38, which ranks 24th nationally, and save percentage (.776).
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Gjelaj earned recognition as the OVC co-Goalkeeper of the Week Tuesday. It marks his fourth award this season.
Nic Muench (defensive player) also picked up an award this week.
LAST SEASON: SIUE finished 16-1-3, was unbeaten through its first 19 games and appeared in the NCAA Tournament for the 24th time. SIUE's .850 winning percentage was the best in Division I.
SIUE's 16 wins in 2023 were the most in a season for a Cougar team since the return to Division I.
PRO TRADITION: More than 75 former SIUE players have gone on to play professional soccer, including MLS veteran Matt Polster, who is in his ninth season in the league.
PROGRAM HISTORY: SIUE is playing its 58th season of men's soccer. The program's all-time record is now 602-331-98. SIUE's .631 winning percentage at the start of the season ranks 23rd all-time.This is the 17th season since returning to NCAA Division I competition. SIUE has made 24 NCAA Tournament appearances, which includes 16 appearances in the Division I tournament. The Cougars hold two National Championships (1972, 1979).
