SIUE Cougars (4-9-2, 3-3-2 OVC) vs. Western Illinois Leathernecks (3-10-4, 1-3-4 OVC)
Thu., Oct. 30, 6:00 PM CT
Bob Guelker Field / Ralph Korte Stadium
Edwardsville, Illinois

LAST TIME: SIUE's five-match unbeaten streak came to an end with a 2-1 loss at Liberty Saturday.

THIS WEEK: SIUE wraps up its home schedule with Western Illinois Thursday night. The Cougars are fifth in the OVC standings and will clinch a spot in the Conference Tournament with a win. 

HOME COOKING: All but one of SIUE's wins have come at home this year where SIUE is 3-4.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Wes Gibson (defender) and Noah Scheidweiler (goalkeeper) were named Players of the Week 10/21 following two shutout-wins. Evan Howard was named as the OVC Player of the Week 9/2 after he scored in each of SIUE's games in Colorado.

RANK AND FILE: SIUE has faced two ranked opponents so far this season, dropping 2-1 games on the road at No. 21 Denver and No. 16 Saint Louis.

THE SERIES: The Cougars and Leathernecks have faced off 28 previous times in men's soccer in a series that dates back to 1972. The two sides have played more neutral games in the series (13) than they have at either school's home venue. SIUE is 6-3 at home in the series.

SCORING: Evan Howard is tied for second in the OVC with seven goals this year. Zach Renz scored his first career goal in Thursday's win over HCU. The Cougars had two first-time goal scorers 10/12 with Dom Bartoni and Ben Perkins both scoring at USI. SIUE lost its seven top scorers and eight of the top 10 after last season. The Cougars opened the season with just four goal scorers from a season ago representing six of 30 goals (20 percent) scored in 2024. Returners account for just 18 percent (15 of 85) of total points scored in 2024.

AT THE HELM: Two-time OVC Coach of the Year Cale Wassermann is in his seventh season in charge of the Cougars, and his 12th overall as a head coach. He has a record of 56-44-16 (.552) in six-plus seasons at SIUE. He is third all-time in wins at SIUE.