SIUE (2-3-2, 0-0 OVC) vs. Lindenwood (4-3-1, 0-0 OVC)
Sat., Sep. 28, 7:00 p.m. 
Bob Guelker Field / Ralph Korte Stadium
Edwardsville, Illinois

LAST TIME: The Cougars lost a home game for the first time in more than a year, when Omaha edged SIUE 1-0 Sunday at Korte Stadium. The Cougars' last loss at home came in November 2022.

OVC OPENER: SIUE opens play in the second season of Ohio Valley Conference 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: Saturday's game is the third of five consecutive home games. SIUE plays four of the next five games at Korte Stadium, and the lone road game is "local" at Lindenwood.

THE SERIES: SIUE has faced Lindenwood four times, winning three of those meetings and tying the third. The last meeting came in the OVC tournament semifinal game last year at Korte Stadium.

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 42-33-13 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 203 of 205 Division I teams in shots per game (6.86). Of the Cougars' 48 total shots, 28 have been on goal and their .583 shot accuracy ranks second in 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 the OVC leader in saves per game at 5.14, which ranks ninth in the NCAA. He also leads in total saves with 36, which ranks 15th nationally, and save percentage (.766). 

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Gjelaj has earned recognition as the OVC co-Goalkeeper of the Week three times this season. SIUE has had five total weekly winners already this year. Nic Muench (offensive) and Wes Gibson (defensive) also have been honored this season.

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. 

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. 

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).