No.25 SIUE (0-0-0) vs. Michigan State (0-0-0)
Thu., Aug.22, 8:00 p.m.
Bob Guelker Field / Ralph Korte Stadium

LAST SEASON: SIUE finished 16-1-3 and was unbeaten through its first 19 games. The Cougars captured the first-ever Ohio Valley Conferene Regular Season and Tournament titles and appeared in the NCAA Tournament for the 24th time. SIUE's .850 winning percentage was the best in Division I. 

RANK AND FILE: SIUE checks in at No. 25 in the preseason Top Drawer Soccer poll.

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 40-30-11 in five seasons at SIUE. 

ALL WE DO IS WIN: SIUE's 16 wins were the most in a season for a Cougar team since the return to Division I. 

TITLE TOWN: SIUE won the first-ever regular season and tournament titles in men's soccer in the OVC. The regular season title was the first OVC title for a men's program at SIUE in any sport.

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. 

DE-FENCE: SIUE also bosated one of the top defense in the country. Its team goals against average of 0.60 ranked second in the NCAA. The Cougars' goal differential was +33 was fifth best in the NCAA. SIUE allowed more than a single goal in a game only twice last season.

TAKE YOUR SHOT: SIUE unleashed a season-high 26 total shots Sep. 22 against Webster. It marked the most shots in a game since a 2016 game against Central Arkansas (29). Sept. 28 at Southern Indiana, SIUE put a season-best 17 shots on goal. 

THE SERIES: Thursday marks the eighth meeting between the Cougars and the Spartans. SIUE leads the all-time series, but hasn't earned a win since 1987. The Cougars eliminated Michigan State from the 2016 NCAA Tournament, advancing on penalties in the first round on the way to a Sweet 16 appearance.

BETWEEN THE PIPES: After the graduation of OVC Goalkeeper of the Year Sam Gomez, the Cougars will turn 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 finished fourth nationally in DII with 97 saves. He led the Great Midwest Athetic Conference and was second in save percentage at .782, which was good for 37th in Division II.

PENALTY BOX: The Cougars were awarded a penalty nine times in 19 games last year. SIUE was eight for nine in penalty attempts with five different players scoring. 

BRONZE BOOT BACK AT CITYPARK: The Cougars will face the Saint Louis Billikens for the Joseph Carenza, Sr. Trophy at the home of St. Louis CITY SC. The game is set for September 8. SIUE holds the Bronze Boot trophy after a 2-0 win last year at CITYPARK.

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 is has made 24 NCAA Tournament appearances, which includes 16 appearances in the Division I tournament. The Cougars hold two National Championships (1972, 1979).