SIUE (2-2-2) vs. Omaha (4-1-2)
Sun., Sep. 22, 12:00 p.m.
Bob Guelker Field / Ralph Korte Stadium
Edwardsville, Illinois
Live stats: SIUEStats.com
Live video: ESPN+
LAST TIME: The Cougars scored a pair of first-half goals Wednesday in a 2-0 win over Bradley at Korte Stadium. Yasha Shearer and
Pavel Dashin each scored.
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: Sunday's game is the second of five consecutive home games. SIUE plays six of the next seven games at Korte Stadium, and the lone road game is "local" at Lindenwood.
THE SERIES: SIUE has faced Omaha three times, winning two of those meetings and tying the third. The teams played three times between 2011-2013 and have not met since.
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 42-32-13 in five seasons at SIUE.
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.
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.
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 the OVC leader in saves per game at 5.33, which ranks 12th in the NCAA. He also leads in total saves with 32, which ranks 16th nationally. He is second in save percentage (.762).
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Gjelaj earned the nod as OVC co-Goalkeeper of the Week after making six saves against Memphis. The award was the third of the year for Gjelaj. SIUE has had five total weekly winners already this year.
LAST SEASON: SIUE finished 16-1-3 and was unbeaten through its first 19 games. The Cougars captured the first Ohio Valley Conference 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.
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.
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).
