Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Men's Soccer	SIUE Men's Soccer SIUE Athletics

Ed Huneke NCAA Bracket Current Statistics SIUE in NCAAs

November 7, 2005 NCAA Tournament Goes Through Edwardsville Once Again for Men’s Soccer          EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville men’s soccer team learned Monday that it will be the host school for a second straight season for the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Tournament.          The Cougars, 15-2-2 overall this season, will have the bye in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and first play on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Korte Stadium. SIUE faces the winner of the Truman State (16-3-1) and Rockhurst (15-4-1) game, which will be played at Korte Stadium on Thursday at 7 p.m.          SIUE, the defending national runner-up, is a member of the national bracket for the third consecutive year and the fourth time in the last five seasons. The Cougars also advanced to the Final Four in 2001.          “There are a number of Division II schools that would like to be playing at this time of the year,” said SIUE Coach Ed Huneke. “And to be the No. 1 seed speaks highly of what we have done this year.”          SIUE has been ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in every National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas poll this season and holds victories over both Rockhurst and Truman State this season.          Still, Huneke said, the Cougars can’t take anything for granted.          SIUE is coming off its second loss of the season in a 3-1 defeat to GLVC Tournament runner-up Quincy on Friday.          “It’s a new time, and this team is good enough to make history. It has to be done on the field, and this is what people remember,” said Huneke.          The Cougars have outscored their opponents 37-11 and outshot their opponents 290-147 in 19 games. After 19 games last season, SIUE also was 15-2-2 and advanced all the way to the national title game.          Led by GLVC Player of the Year Kevin Thibodeau (St. Charles, Mo.), the Cougars have been a balance of strong defense and explosive offense all season. Thibodeau, a defender, has scored one goal and two assists in 2005.          SIUE had eight players on the All-GLVC team, a school record. That included five players on the first team, two on the second team, and one honorable mention selection.          Cougar forwards Mike Banner (Washington, D.C.) and Victor Pacheco (Brazil) are tied for the team lead in goals with seven. John Matthews (Edwardsville), Brian Higgins (St. Charles, Mo.) and Thibodeau also were named to the first team.          Pete Cacciatore (St. Louis) and transfer back Trevor House (St. Louis) were named to the second team. Mike Zaegel (St. Louis) earned honorable mention honors.          Saturday’s game will make SIUE’s 19th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. SIUE won the Division II national title in 1972 and a Division I crown in 1979. The Cougars won their last two NCAA Tournament games held at Korte Stadium, defeating UW-Parkside 3-1 and Tusculum 3-2 in 2004.                   -siue cougars-