EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville men's soccer team completed a historic regular season and hopes to continue its hot streak into the postseason.
The team finished with a 14-0-3 record overall and finished its first-ever Ohio Valley Conference season 9-0-1, winning the regular season championship. It was the team's first regular season title since 2015 (Missouri Valley).
This was also SIUE's first undefeated team since the 1972 National Championship team, which posted an 11-0-3 record.
The 14 wins were the most in the country, and the Cougars have won seven straight which is tied for the longest streak in Division I.
After starting the season 3-0, SIUE was ranked No. 18 in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll on Sept. 5. It was the first time the Cougars were ranked since spring 2021. After a draw the next week, the team slipped out of the rankings and into "others receiving votes."
In the Oct. 24 poll, SIUE remained in the "others receiving votes."
SIUE is just one of two Division I teams with undefeated records this season, with Saint Francis as the other. They led the country with a .912 winning percentage and shot accuracy (52.9%). Goalkeeper Sam Gomez ranked third nationally in shutouts (8), sixth in save percentage (85.7%) and seventh in goals against average (.591).
The inaugural OVC Men's Soccer Championship will begin on Sunday, Nov. 5 at Korte Stadium in Edwardsville with quarterfinal matches.
Here's the full schedule:
Sunday, Nov. 5 - Quarterfinals
- Match 1 - #3 Liberty vs. #6 Eastern Illinois at 1 p.m.
- Match 2 - #4 Lindenwood vs. #5 Chicago State at 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 8 - Semifinals
- Match 3 - Winner Match 1 vs. #2 UIW at 3 p.m.
- Match 4 - Winner Match 2 at #1 SIUE at 6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 11 - Final
- Match 5 - Semifinal Winners at 6 p.m.
It was announced in March 2023 that the OVC would become the 24th NCAA Division I men's soccer conference. The winner will receive an automatic qualifier to the NCAA Championship.