Game #4
Lindenwood (1-2-0, 0-0-0 OVC)
at Western Illinois (0-3-0, 0-0-0 Summit)
Match Information:
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023
Location: Macomb, Ill.
Venue: John A. Mackenzie Alumni Field
First Kick: 5:00 p.m. CT
All-Time Series: 0-1, Western Illinois
Last Meeting: 10/15/22, L 2-3 at Western Illinois
Live Stats: Stats
Live Video: Summit League Network

Matchup
Lindenwood men's soccer hits the road for their third road game of the season when they travel to future Ohio Valley Conference opponent Western Illinois in Macomb, Ill. LU is coming off their first win of the season after a 3-0 victory over Southwest Baptist.

The Ohio Valley Conference began their inaugural season of men's soccer as Lindenwood was picked to finish fourth out of eight teams. Loyola Chicago was picked to finished third in the A-10 after going 9-2-7 last season.

Future OVC Member
Western Illinois joined the OVC during the 2023-24 school year as they left the Summit League for the majority of their sports. The Leathernecks will still be afflilate members during this season in men's soccer and football.

Next season, WIU will join the OVC in both sports including the second ever season of OVC men's soccer. The conference is currently in their inaugural season of men's soccer after adding Chicago State, Liberty, HCU, and Incarnate Word to their league.

Previous Match Recap
Lindenwood men's soccer defeated GLVC opponent Southwest Baptist at Hunter Stadium by a final score of 3-0 Wednesday evening. It marked the first career win for head coach Kris Bertsch.

Cole Hutson, Matteo Boasso and Bryce Warhaft each scored their first goal of the season during the win. Goalie Enzo Gil also limited the Bearcats to just two shots on goal. The Lions had a season high 21 shots during the match last week.

Hutson led all players with four total shots and three shots on goal while Herman had two shots on goal. They held the Bearcats to just three shots throughout the match which was caused by great defense from Noe Bijou and Mekhi Wright.

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.

Up Next
The Lions will be back at home for their second match at Hunter Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 1:00 p.m. when they host Utah Tech. Live stats and ESPN+ will be provided for the game, more information can be found at lindenwoodlions.com.