Game #20
Lindenwood (7-6-6, 3-3-4 OVC)
at #25 SIUE (14-0-3, 9-0-1 OVC)
Match Information:
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023
Location: Edwardsville, Ill.
Venue: Ralph Korte Stadium
First Kick: 6:00 p.m. CT
All-Time Series: SIUE leads, 0-2-1
Last Meeting: Loss, 1-0 (10/26/23)
Live Stats: Stats
Live Video: ESPN+

Matchup
Lindenwood men's soccer continues their journey in the Ohio Valley Conference Championship as they take on #1 SIUE in the semifinals in Edwardsville, Ill. The Lions took down #5 Chicago State last Sunday by a score of 2-0.

During the regular season, the Lions tied their first meeting against SIUE before losing to them 1-0 at home late in the season. Lindenwood entered the OVC Championships with the fourth best conference record, and were the only team to tie SIUE.

SIUE comes into this matchup with an undefeated record, only tying three matches throughout the year. They are currently ranked #25 in the NCAA by the United Soccer Coaches Poll. The Cougars come into Wednesday's match on a seven match win streak.

The Ohio Valley Conference began their inaugural season of men's soccer as Lindenwood was picked to finish fourth out of eight teams. SIUE was picked to finish second in the conference to start the season.

Previous Match Recap
Lindenwood men's soccer won their opening round matchup at the Ohio Valley Conference Championships against Chicago State by a final score of 2-0. 

The Lions offense was out-shot in Sunday's win, but Lindenwood was able to capitalize early in order to secure their seventh victory of the season. Matteo Boasso secured the game winning goal in the fifth minute of action after a precise cross by Mekhi Wright into the box to put LU up 1-0. Ethan Blake would also get credited for an assist.

Enzo Gil made two saves in the first half to keep the Cougars off the board and secure their 1-0 lead heading into halftime. CSU had four shots in the first half landing two of them on goal. Wright also had a shot that was blocked in the first 45 minutes of action.

Chicago State ramped up the pressure in half two with the Cougars taking eight shots in the final 45 minutes. Gil ended his night in goal with six saves, his second most of the season. The defense was led by Noe Bijou and Cameron Caldwell who helped control the tempo of the game.

Blake continued his strong first season with the Lions scoring Lindenwood's second goal of the night with a goal in the right corner of the net during the 79th minute to clinch the win. He leads the team in goals this season with six. He was assisted by Boasso and Josh Francombe.

Boasso's goal was the first goal scored in the inaugural OVC Championships (first game in tournament ended in a 0-0 tie with penalty kicks). The win also marks the first win in postseason history for the Lions during their Division I era.

OVC Top Ten Rankings
Ethan Blake continues to make his presence known after scoring his team leading sixth goal on Sunday against Chicago State. He now ranks sixth in the OVC in goals scored. 

Jens Haukeland has been one of the best passers this season with a total of six assists. He ranks tied for fourth in the conference heading into the semifinals of the OVC tournament. He also ranks ninth in points with 12 (three goals, six assists). Cole Hutson also remains in the top ten in game winning goals with two along with Matteo Boasso.

Sunday's shutout also bumped up goalie Enzo Gil in the rankings. He is now tied for second in shutouts this season with five. His 1.086 goals against is also third in the OVC and he has allowed the fourth fewest goals this season (18).

Head Coach: Kris Bertsch
Bertsch enters his first season as the head coach of Lindenwood men's soccer during the 2023 fall season. He comes to Lindenwood after spending five seasons at Saint Louis University as the top assistant coach where he helped guide the Billikens to an impressive 53-22-14 record.  Individually, Bertsch has been recognized as one of the Top Assistant Coaches in the country four different times. 

Saint Louis captured back-to-back Atlantic 10 Conference regular-season and tournament titles in 2021 and 2022, resulting in two-straight NCAA Men's Soccer Championship appearances.  In 2022, Bertsch and the SLU staff earned the honor as the NCAA Division I Southeast Region Staff of the Year by the United Soccer Coaches.