EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Defending Ohio Valley Conference champion SIUE men's soccer officially opened defense of its title with a 2-0 win over Lindenwood Saturday night at Korte Stadium. The game was the OVC opener for both sides.

The Cougars improved to 3-3-2 overall with the win. Lindenwood slipped to 4-4-1.

SIUE wasted little time in getting the scoring started. Yasha Schaerer put the Cougars on top just 46 seconds into the match when he curled a free kick into the lower left corner from 30 yards out.

The Cougars took the 1-0 lead into the break and doubled the advantage just over eight minutes into the second half, again finding success on a set piece, this time a corner.

Schaerer sent the corner across the six-yard box, where Jacobo Sanfeliu came from out from the near post. Sanfeliu got his head to the kick, redirecting it back into the net, for his second goal as a Cougar.

SIUE outshot the Lions 11-8 in the game, marking the first time the Cougars have outshot their opponent this season. SIUE had an 8-3 advantage in shots in the first half. The Cougars had the edge in shots on goal 7-6. Both Shaerer and Sanfeliu had three.

Rob Gjelaj made two saves on his way to his third shutout of the year.

The Cougars continue a five-game home stand with a Thursday night game against Eastern Illinois at Korte Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.