Rivalries Renewed: SLU and SIUE Battle for the Bronze Boot

For the first time since 2022, the Bronze Boot rivalry between Saint Louis University and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville returns to campus grounds, stepping away from the neutral setting of Energizer Park. This year’s matches will be split across home turf: the men face off at Hermann Stadium in St. Louis at 6 p.m. on Sunday, September 7, while the women take the field earlier that day at 1 p.m. in Edwardsville’s Ralph Korte Stadium.

Men’s Matchup: SIUE Looks to Repeat, SLU Seeks Revenge

The Cougar men enter the weekend at 1–2, fresh off a road swing through Colorado that saw them edge Air Force before falling 2–1 to Denver on August 31. SIUE claimed last year’s Bronze Boot with a 1–0 win and will look to reignite their season with another victory over their biggest rival.

SLU, meanwhile, comes in at 2–1–1, riding wins over SMU and Seton Hall. Their lone loss came midweek in a tight 1–0 battle at Indiana. With momentum from their solid play so far this season and home-field advantage, the Billikens will be eager to reclaim the Boot.

Women’s Matchup: SLU Solid, SIUE Searching for Answers

On the women’s side, SLU enters Sunday’s clash at 4–2, having dispatched Missouri State 2–1 on Thursday night at Hermann Stadium. The Billikens dominated last year’s Bronze Boot with a resounding 6–1 win and will look to repeat that performance.

SIUE’s women have struggled early, falling to 1–5–1 after a 3–2 loss to SIU Carbondale on Thursday. With last year’s rout still fresh, the Cougars will be desperate to flip the script and salvage pride on home soil.