SIUE Cougars (2-2-3, 0-0 Ohio Valley)
vs. Missouri State Bears (2-5-1, 0-0 Missouri Valley)
Sun., Sept. 20, 1:00 PM CT
Betty & Bobby Allison South Stadium
Springfield, Mo.
Live Stats: https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=665195&vislive=siue
Live Video: ESPN+

SIUE Cougars
Head Coach: Derek Burton
Goals P/G:    1.57
Goals Allowed P/G:    1.57
Shots/Opponent Shots:    81/65
Shots Per Game/Opponent:    11.6/9.3
Shots Percentage/Opponent:    .136/.169
Shots On Goal/Opponent:    46-81/38-65
Shots On Goal Perc./Opponent:     .568/.585
Goals Leaders:    Claire Nieroda (3)
Assists Leader:    Claire Nieroda (4)
Shots Leader:    Claire Nieroda (28)
Saves Leader:     Sarah Bozeman (24)

Missouri State Bears
Head Coach: Kirk Nelson
Goals P/G:    0.50
Goals Allowed P/G:    2.12
Shots/Opponent Shots:    60/127
Shots Per Game/Opponent:    7.5/15.9
Shots Percentage/Opponent:      .067/.134
Shots On Goal/Opponent:    27-60/52-127
Shots On Goal Perc./Opponent:     .450/.409
Goals Leaders:    Maggie O'Keefe (2)
Assists Leader:    Ellie Neath (2)
Shots Leader:    Maggie O'Keefe (11)
Saves Leaders:    Kate Lewis (33)

THE SERIES: This is the 15th all-time meeting between the Cougars and the Bears. Missouri State won last year's match 4-2 at SIUE. The two teams tied in the last two meetings in Springfield -- 0-0 in 2024 and 1-1 in 2016.
LEADING THE LEAGUE: SIUE's 2-2-3 record leads the Ohio Valley Conference. No other OVC schools hold a .500 or better winning percentage as the league approaches the final week of the nonconference season.
SHOT MAKERS: SIUE has recorded 10 or more shots in six of seven matches this season and has allowed 10 or fewer shots in six of seven matches this season.
FRESHMAN IN GOAL: Baylor Lynch recorded two saves in her first career start Sept. 10 at SIU Carbondale. She has three saves total after playing 22 minutes in the Indiana State game we well.
SHOTS LEADER: Claire Nieroda leads the Cougars with 28 shots in 2026. She recorded the only shot in the loss at Drake and has taken at least one shot in each of her last 13 games dating back to the 2025 season.
ON GOAL: Nieroda leads the team in scoring with 10 points. She shares the team lead in goals (3) with Carson Bohnenstiehl.
NEW SEASON UPON US: The OVC regular season gets underway next Sunday as SIUE, playing as the 66ers, welcomes Eastern Illinois for a 1 p.m. contest. The game also serves as Alumni Day and Girl Scouts Day at Korte Stadium.
HEAD COACH DEREK BURTON: Burton is in his 19th season and has coached every game that SIUE has played at the NCAA Division I level.