SIUE men’s soccer secured a 1-0 victory over Western Illinois on Thursday night at Korte Stadium, capturing their third consecutive win and claiming the top spot in the Ohio Valley Conference standings, siuecougars.com reported.
The Cougars improved to 4-4-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play. Western Illinois dropped to 3-5-2 overall and 1-1 in the OVC.
Juan Rodas Header Lifts Cougars Past Leathernecks
The decisive moment arrived in the 30th minute when Juan Rodas headed home a corner kick delivered by Elliott Forestier. The goal came precisely 19 seconds after Rodas subbed into the match, marking his first goal as a Cougar and standing up as the game-winner, according to siuecougars.com.
Freshman goalkeeper Brady Cochrane made his first career start for SIUE and stopped all four of Western Illinois’s shots on target to record his first career shutout.
SIUE Leads OVC Standings Before Eastern Illinois Match
SIUE now sits alone atop the OVC standings after winning each of their first two conference fixtures. The team starts a three-game road trip on Sunday afternoon, October 4, 2026, facing Eastern Illinois in Charleston, Illinois, with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 PM, siuecougars.com reported.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Match
Who scored the winning goal for SIUE?
Juan Rodas scored the game-winner in the 30th minute with a header off an Elliott Forestier corner kick, just 19 seconds after entering the game from the substitute bench.
How many saves did Brady Cochrane make?
Freshman goalkeeper Brady Cochrane turned away all four of Western Illinois’s shots on target to earn his first career shutout in his first career start.
Where is SIUE’s next game scheduled?
The Cougars will travel to face Eastern Illinois on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 3:00 PM in Charleston, Illinois, opening a three-game road trip.
SIUE plays its next three games away from home as conference competition continues through the fall schedule.
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