Thu., Aug. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Durwood Soccer Stadium
Kansas City, Mo.

FOR OPENERS: SIUE opens its 60th men’s soccer season at Kansas City Thursday night. It is the 19th since the return to Division I status. Since then, SIUE is 7-6-5 in season openers.

ROAD TRIPPING: SIUE opens the year with three straight road games. The Cougars will not play at home until Sep. 6.

RANK AND FILE: SIUE is scheduled to face a pair of ranked opponents in its nonconference schedule. After opening the season against No. 25 Kansas City, the Cougars will open its home season by playing host to preseason fourth-ranked Saint Louis. Michigan, who SIUE will see Aug. 30, currently is receiving votes.

THE SERIES: The Cougars and Roos will meet for the 14th time overall. The series is tied 6-6 and there has been one tie. Kansas City currently has a three-game unbeaten streak in the series. SIUE has not won since a 1-0 win at Kansas City in 2019.

HIGH SCORING RETURNER: SIUE received good news when Evan Howard was allowed to return for a fifth season. Howard was second in the OVC in scoring with 19 total point in 2025. He led OVC in goals scored with eight and points per game at 1.19. Provided team-leading 50 shots for the season. Howard averaged 3.13 shots per game, which led the OVC and ranked 26th nationally.

OTHER SCORING: Only four other goal-scorers return for SIUE. Outside of Howard, only Dominic Bartoni, Colin Bastianoni, Ryley Gibbs and Ben Perkins found the back of the net, with each scoring once. Returners Mathias Clausen and Elliott Forestier each recorded an assist last season.

AT THE HELM: Two-time OVC Coach of the Year Cale Wassermann is in his eighth season in charge of the Cougars, and his 13th overall as a head coach. He has a record of 58-46-16 (.550) in seven seasons at SIUE. He is third all-time in wins at SIUE.

PROGRAM HISTORY: SIUE is playing its 60th season of men’s soccer. The program’s all-time record is now 620-347-103. The Cougars’ all-time winning percentage of .628 ranks 23rd all-time among Division I programs. The 2026 season is the 19th for SIUE since returning to Division I play in 2008. SIUE has made 25 NCAA Tournament appearances and 17 appearance in the Division I tournament. In 2023 and 2024, the Cougars made consecutive NCAA appearances for the first time since the 2006 and 2007 seasons (Division II). SIUE has two National Championships (1972, 1979).