The Lindenwood men's soccer team defeated the Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm by a final score of 7-0 on Thursday evening from Hunter Stadium in St. Charles, Mo.
Lindenwood dominated the first half of play, outshooting Southern Nazarene by an eight shot margin. The Lions dominance paid off in the 30th minute of play, as
Fernando Cordero sent a pass ahead to
Xhovani Dokaj who made a move past the Southern Nazarene keeper, and buried the ball into the back of the vacant net. For Dokaj, the score was his third of the season. Lindenwood would carry the one-goal lead into halftime, after holding the Crimson Storm without a shot for the opening 45 minutes of action.
With 4:20 gone by in the second half, Dokaj scored his second goal of the evening, helping the Lions grow their lead to 2-0.
Kyle Weinrich was credited with the assist, his first helper of the season. Just 27 seconds later, Dokaj put home his third score of the game, and fifth of the season.
Nijaz Muratovic assisted on Dokaj's hat-trick score, his first assist on the season.
In the 57th minute of action, Dokaj lined up for a free kick 26 yards out to the left of the Southern Nazarene goal, and drilled the ball into the upper right corner. The score was Dokaj's fourth and final score of the evening, as Lindenwood extended its lead to 4-0.
Gabriel Jaimes added to the Lions lead in the 61st minute, as he secured a cross pass from Weinrich inside the goal box and deposited the ball in the lower right corner of the goal. The score was Jaimes' first goal of the year.
Lindenwood would add two insurance tallies in the 84th and 85th minutes, bringing the game to a close at the final score of 7-0.
Amir Huskanovic and
Gaspar Alvarez were credited with the scores, their first goals of the season, respectively.
Aleksa Nenadic and
Tim Licht split time in goal for Lindenwood. Nenadic made the start, recording one save over his 70:14 in net. Licht, who relieved Nenadic, turned in two saves during his 19:46 in goal.
Lindenwood dominated the statistical categories for the game, as it held the advantage in shots (29-4), shots on goal (17-3), and corner kicks (12-0). Southern Nazarene had the edge in saves (10-3).
Following the win, Lindenwood improved its season record to 2-2-2. With the loss Southern Nazarene moves to 0-5-0 on the season. The Lions will return to action on Saturday afternoon for a non-conference matchup with the Ouachita Baptist Tigers. Game time is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. from Hunter Stadium in St. Charles, Mo.
