Men's Soccer

GLVC Standings

Cougar Men’s Soccer Clinches No. 1 Seed
          Southern Illinois University Edwardsville men’s soccer took care of business last Saturday by wrapping up the No. 1 seed for the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament semifinals and finals on Nov. 5-7.
          The Cougars’ 3-0 win over Bellarmine clinched the top seed and a first round bye in the tournament. The quarterfinals are this Sunday.
          “It’s nice accomplishment, and it feeds into some other nice benefits for the postseason,” said SIUE soccer coach Ed Huneke.
          For the second year in a row, SIUE finished GLVC play undefeated with a 8-0-2 record, 13-2-3 overall. The Cougars are unbeaten in their last 21 GLVC regular season games.
          SIUE will do battle with regional rival Truman State on Saturday for its final regular season game of the year.
          “They always have a good team,” said Huneke. “It will be a good challenge for us, and I expect a quality game on both sides.”
          In the win over Bellarmine, Mike Banner (Upper Marlboro, Md.) recorded two goals, including a breakaway goal from midfield. The sophomore has four goals in nine games for SIUE, and he leads the conference in shots per game at 4.22.
          “I was really pleased with Mike’s play,” said Huneke. “We benefit greatly when he plays well.”
          Senior Michael Burgund (Bethalto) netted the Cougars’ other goal in the win over the Knights to give him four goals on the season.
          “He has been a real steady player for us as a defender, but he has also picked up some nice goals,” said Huneke.”
          SIUE has seven players on the team with 10 or more points. The Cougars are first in the GLVC with 18.24 shots per game, and SIUE is third in the conference in goals (39), goals per game ( 2.29), assists (38), assists per game (2.24), points (6.82), goals allowed (9), and goals against average (0.50).
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