Metro East Sun

As Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (SIUE) men's soccer embarks on a new season in a new conference, it will continue its push to become nationally recognized team, according to one of the people who helped develop the team along the way, head coach Mario Sanchez said.

The team makes the move from the Missouri Valley Conference to the Mid-American Conference. On June 9, MAC announced SIUE soccer could join the 2017 schedule instead of waiting to join in 2018, as originally planned.

"That will take effect this fall," Sanchez, who has led the team for three years, said. "It is a very positive change for our team."

The Cougars were on top of the conference in 2016, but the switch offers a greater challenge and more attention for the team, Sanchez said. Because the Missouri Valley Conference is smaller, it inherently means less interest in the school from sponsors and potential recruits.

"There is a much higher level of competition in this conference," Sanchez said. "Our goal is to push our soccer program at the national level and bring more recognition from around the country, in terms of players and others."

The Cougars will need to set a new pace in this new conference to propel the program forward, Sanchez said. 

"Our school has been committed to men's soccer, so from our perspective, it continues to show what we are trying to do at the national level for men's soccer here at SIUE," Sanchez said. "This will help attract better players and more fans. We want to bring in national sponsors and other things to really help grow this program. This move will help us reach our long term goals."

Those long-term goals will also depend on even great support from fans. Interest from alumni and the surrounding community has been positive, he said. He hopes to capitalize on the national growing interest in the sport. 

"We're bringing in other teams with very strong soccer programs," Sanchez said. "They're excited to have nationally ranked teams playing on our home stadium."

Sanchez has said he is satisfied with the upcoming schedule, which includes 18 games — nine at home in the inaugural season. SIUE will go up against six teams that made it to the 2016 NCAA Tournament. That includes two rematches for the Cougars, according to a program announcement. 

SIUE will travel to play Loyola on Sept. 23. The Cougars last played the Ramblers in two regular season matches last year. Each won at home, 1-0.

SIUE will host a nonconference game against Butler — a team the Cougars beat during the second round of the 2016 NCAA tournament. The Oct. 10 match will be the fourth meeting in three seasons between the teams, who tied 1-1 during their last match in 2014.