Golden Goal Gives Cougars OVC Title, 25th NCAA Bid

Golden Goal Gives Cougars OVC Title, 25th NCAA Bid

November 19, 2024, 11:30 AM

SIUE men's soccer secured its second consecutive Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Title and the league's automatic NCAA bid after defeating Houston Christian 3-2 in two overtimes Saturday at Korte Stadium.

The Cougars will make their 25th NCAA Tournament appearance and their 17th Division I appearance. It is the first time since 2005 and 2006 that SIUE has made consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament.

SIUE will learn its first-round opponent and game location during the NCAA selection show, which airs Monday at 12 noon on NCAA.com.

Wes Gibson scored the game winner in the 104th minute coming off a corner kick. Yasha Schaerer delivered the corner to the near post where it was flicked on by Pavel Dashin to Gibson who was waiting at the back post.

It was Dashin who brought the Cougars new life when he headed home from six yards out in the 83rd minute to tie the score 2-2. The goal came after a curling pass from Patrick Coleman from outside of the box.

The Cougars took the first lead in the first half, getting on the board in the 22nd minute after a corner kick. When Houston Christian failed to fully clear the initial corner, it came to Nacho Abeal who played back into the box. It was redirected by Jacobo Sanfeliu past HCU goalkeeper Alex Aitken.

HCU found the equalizer with just 15 minutes to play in the first half. Ethan Giwa-McNeil was able to tap in after an initial shot hit the crossbar and came down on the goal line behind SIUE goalkeeper Rob Gjelaj.

The Huskies went ahead in the 39th minute following a corner kick of their own. HCU played the ball out near the top of the box, where it was served in over the top. Theo Butterworth cleaned up a loose ball and found the back of the net at the near post and HCU led 2-1 at halftime.

The Cougars outshot the Huskies 22-12, including a 9-6 advantage in shots on goal. Schaerer, Abeal and Dashin each had two shots on goal.

Gjelaj made two saves for SIUE. Aitken made three for HCU.

Nic Muench earned Tournament MVP honors while Dashin, Gibson and Schaerer all were named to the All-Tournament team.

PHOTO: SIUE 2024 men's soccer team