Season Opener and Rankings
The SIUE Cougars open their 60th men’s soccer campaign on August 20, traveling to face the No. 25 Kansas City Roos at Durwood Soccer Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The match inaugurates the 60th season of Cougars men’s soccer and marks the 19th year since the program returned to Division I competition in 2008.
The series against Kansas City stands tied at 6‑6 with one draw, and the Roos carry a recent unbeaten streak that adds extra intrigue to the opening contest.
Following the road test, the Cougars will play three straight away games before returning home on September 6, a stretch that includes a later matchup with the preseason fourth‑ranked Saint Louis team.
Key Players and Coaching Legacy
Senior forward Evan Howard returns for his fifth year and led the OVC in goals last season with eight, while also posting a points‑per‑game average of 1.19, making him a central offensive weapon.
Head coach Cale Wassermann, in his eighth season, brings a career record of 58‑46‑16 (.550) and has overseen a program that has grown steadily under his guidance.
The Cougars’ roster also features returning scorers Dominic Bartoni, Colin Bastianoni, Ryley Gibbs and Ben Perkins, who will add depth to the attack.
Program Heritage and Future Outlook
SIUE’s men’s soccer program holds a 620‑347‑103 record, a .628 winning percentage that places it 23rd among Division I institutions, and a history of NCAA Tournament participation.
The program has made 25 NCAA Tournament appearances and 17 Division I tournament bids, including back‑to‑back appearances in 2023 and 2024 — the first such run since 2006 and 2007.
Adding to the legacy, SIUE claimed national championships in 1972 and 1979, underscoring a tradition of excellence that continues to shape its ambitions.