Cougars Wrap Up Second Consecutive OVC Regular Season Title

SIUE men's soccer claimed its second consecutive Ohio Valley Conference regular season championship with a 2-1 come-from-behind win at Southern Indiana Thursday.

The Cougars' win coupled with a tie by Houston Christian at Liberty secured the title, the number one seed and a first-round bye in the OVC Tournament which begins Nov. 10 in Edwardsville.

SIUE scored a pair of second-half goals to overcome a 1-0 halftime deficit. The win was the 49th for Head Coach Cale Wassermann at SIUE, moving him to third all-time in wins at the school.

The Cougars improved to 9-4-3 overall and 7-1-1 in the OVC. Southern Indiana dropped to 2-13-2 overall and 1-6-2 in the league.

Southern Indiana gained the lead in the 29th minute when David Davila scored after a run from the right side. His shot took a deflection past SIUE goalkeeper Rob Gjelaj for the 1-0 lead.

SIUE had a chance to equalize in the final two minutes of the half when Nacho Abeal was fouled in the box and awarded a penalty kick. The subsequent shot from Abeal went wide of the goal and USI led 1-0 at the break.

Jake Karolczak scored the equalizer in the 51st minute after a corner kick. Yasha Schaerer's corner to the near post was headed out by USI. Karolczak came streaking in and fired a low right-footed drive form the top of the 18-yard box into the back of the net. The goal was the first of the season for Karolczak.

It took until the 78th for the Cougars to find the game winner and it was Stephan Moreira who scored his first of the season. Moreira, too, got a ball that was headed out by the Screaming Eagles' defense. He spun from 12 yards away and hit a low shot that glanced off a defender's foot for the game winner.

The Cougars out up 23 total shots, tying their second most shots in a game this season. SIUE put 12 shots on goal, testing USI goalkeeper Andrew Klott, who finished with 10 saves.

Abeal and Carles Zomeno led the way with five shots apiece. Three of Zomeno's were on goal. Pavel Dahsin had a pair of shots, both of which were on goal.

The Screaming Eagles took 11 shots, putting four on goal. SIUE goalkeeper Rob Gjelaj made three saves.

SIUE plays its regular season finale Sunday at Eastern Illinois. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

PHOTO: Men's soccer team