SIUE (0-0-1) at Ohio State (1-0-1)
Thu., Aug. 29, 7:00 p.m. CT
Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Live stats: ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sidearmstats/msoc/
Live video: BigTen+ (Connor Schuh, Tyler Danburg)

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: The Cougars are not currently ranked. SIUE began the year 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 40-30-12 in five seasons at SIUE. 

ALL WE DO IS WIN: SIUE's 16 wins in 2023 were the most in a season for a Cougar team since the return to Division I. 

TITLE TOWN: 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 boasted 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 last year 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: The Cougars and Buckeyes have met just twice, both coming since SIUE rejoined the Division I ranks. SIUE won the last meeting 3-2 in Columbus

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 finished fourth nationally in DII with 97 saves. 

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Picking up where they left off last year, the Cougars had a pair of OVC Players of the Week honored Tuesday. Nic Muench was the Offensive Player of the Week after scoring the game-tying goal in SIUE's draw with Michigan State. Gjelaj earned the nod as Goalkeeper of the Week after making five saves against the Spartans. 

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