In 2010, the Southern Illinois Salukis men’s soccer team had a highly successful season, winning the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) championship and earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in program history. The team was led by head coach Ed Huneke and featured a talented roster that included several standout players.

Southern Illinois finished the regular season with a record of 11-5-2, including a 4-1-1 mark in MVC play. They then went on to win the MVC tournament, defeating Drake in the championship game to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

In the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Southern Illinois faced off against Michigan State, a traditional soccer power. Despite being underdogs, the Salukis played well and held the Spartans scoreless for 85 minutes. However, Michigan State scored a late goal to win the game 1-0, ending Southern Illinois’ tournament run.

The 2010 season was a significant accomplishment for Southern Illinois soccer, as it was the team’s first MVC championship since 2002 and fourth NCAA Tournament appearance overall. Several players from the team went on to have successful professional careers, including forward Justin Bilyeu, who was drafted by the New York Red Bulls in the MLS SuperDraft. The 2010 team helped establish Southern Illinois as a strong soccer program in the Midwest, and set the stage for future success under Huneke and other coaches.