EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Lindenwood men's soccer (4-4-3, 1-1-1 OVC) earned a hard fought draw against the Ohio Valley Conference's only undefeated team left SIUE (7-0-3, 2-0-1 OVC) by a final score of 2-2. The Lions hand the Cougars their first tie of OVC play.

"It was a competitive game for both teams, highly contested and high spirited," said head coach Kris Bertsch. "I think both teams fought to the bitter end and that's what local derbies do. I loved our guys resilience to go down a goal and come back and I was really proud of them."

Lindenwood's defense limited damage in the first half against the second highest scoring offense in the Ohio Valley Conference with just one goal allowed. Goal keeper Enzo Gil collected five saves during the first 45 minutes of action as the Cougars posted nine total shots, six of them on goal.
 
SIUE pushed the pace in the first with multiple chances to score on the Lions. Gil made a diving save early in the match to keep the Cougars off the board. SIUE had another chance to score in the 26^th minute of play with a Lindenwood player down but missed wide right of the net.
 
The Cougars finally found a hole in the defense as LU allowed a goal in the 32^nd minute of play after a Jake Karolczak goal in the top right corner of the net. The Lions would go into halftime down 1-0 at Ralph Korte Stadium.
 
Coming out of the locker room, Lindenwood struck early to tie the match at 1-1. In the 48^th minute, Cooper Wilson headed in a goal in the right side of the net for his second goal of the season. Josh Francombe with the cross from the left side of the field helped Wilson score over Sam Gomez.
 
The match did not stay tied for long after a SIUE goal by Mitchell Murphy in the top right of the net during the 55^th minute of action. Karolczak picked up the assist for the Cougars to go along with his earlier goal.
 
Lindenwood kept the pressure on the Cougars throughout the second half and finally managed to tie the match at 2-2 with a Matty Wackerfuss goal in the 70^th minute. Wackerfuss, assisted by Bryce Warhaft, scored his first collegiate goal.

Both teams received red cards in the 83rd minute as the teams clashed at midfield. After the referees passed out cards, SIUE tried to strike one last time on the Lions defense, but they held resulting in a 2-2 draw.

The Lions continue their conference road trip as they take on OVC affiliate-member Chicago State on Sunday, Oct. 8 at 3:00 p.m. in Chicago, Ill. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.