CLEVELAND– The Mid-American Conference announced the addition of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as an affiliate member in the sports of men's soccer, beginning in the 2018 season. SIUE will also join the MAC as an affiliate in wrestling.

The addition of SIUE brings the total of men's soccer programs in the MAC up to six - four from full MAC membership (Akron, Bowling Green, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan) and two affiliate members (SIUE and West Virginia).

"The addition of SIUE certainly strengthens our already strong conference," said WMU head coach Chad Wiseman. "They made it to the Sweet 16 last year in the College Cup, advancing in two NCAA Tournament games. Head coach Mario Sanchez is very familiar with the MAC going back to his days as an Akron assistant. The conference will be stronger than ever and each game will be tougher than ever."
 
 "After significant study and discussion by our member institution's coaches and administrators the Mid-American Conference has made a move to strengthen the Conference with the addition of SIU Edwardsville as an affiliate member in both men's soccer and wrestling," said Dr. Jon Steinbrecher, Commissioner of the Mid-American Conference. "Both programs will add quality and depth to the Conference. I am pleased to welcome SIU Edwardsville, their student-athletes, coaches, administrators and fans to the Mid-American Conference."
 
SIUE men's soccer is coming off its most successful season since its return to NCAA Division I competition in 2008. The Cougars won their second MVC tournament championship before advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA College Cup during the 2016 season. SIUE dispatched No. 13 Michigan State and No. 11 Butler on its way to the third round, where the Cougars fell to eventual runner-up Wake Forest.
 
The Cougars finished the year with a 10-5-7 record, marking the second consecutive year SIUE finished with at least 10 wins and the third double-digit win season in the past five years. The Cougars enjoyed a 14-game unbeaten streak from Sept. 28 until the loss to Wake Forest. SIUE finished at No. 5 in the NCAA in save percentage (.845) and 16th nationally in goals against average (0.71). The Cougars led the MVC in attendance and were 41st nationally with an average of 846 fans per contest.
 
The 2016 College Cup appearance marked SIUE's 15th appearance in the NCAA Division I championship and the 23rd NCAA tournament appearance overall. SIUE won an NCAA Division I National Championship in 1979. The Cougars were national runners-up in 1975, finished third in 1977 and were national semifinalists in 1982. SIUE also captured the College Division National Title in 1972, was runner-up at the Division II level in 2004 and a semifinalist in 2005.

"When we began to look at the direction we wanted to take the program, we realized what kind of an opportunity the MAC provides," said SIUE head coach Mario Sanchez. "The move will help the program to advance on a regional and national level. We are excited to join and compete in one of the top men's soccer conferences in the country."