ST. CHARLES, Mo. - The Lindenwood Men's Soccer team wrapped up their final home game of the 2025 season with a tie against Eastern Illinois by a score of 1-1. With the draw tonight, the Lions clinched the number one seed in the OVC Men's Soccer Tournament and picked up their first ever regular season championship at the Division I level. The tournament will be held in St. Charles, where the Lions finished with an 8-0-2 home record in 2025.
Both goals were scored in the first half of tonight's contest with Lindenwood striking first in the 31st minute.
Gavin Csiszar sent a pass up the left sideline to
Sebastia Cerda Tous, who made a move around his defender and fired a shot at the Eastern Illinois Goalkeeper. The Panther keeper made a save, but allowed a rebound opportunity for
Luca Bartoni. Bartoni was all alone off the rebound and put the ball in the back of the net to give the Lions a 1-0 lead late in the half.
However, the Panthers responded eight minutes later with a goal of their own off a free kick from just outside of the box. Gui Gragnano took the free kick for EIU and sent a shot past the wall of Lion defenders and past a diving
Gavin Roberts to even the score at 1-1. Roberts limited the damage in the first half, recording four saves on seven shot attempts to keep the score tied heading into the break.
In the second half, both teams had opportunities to take the lead, but were unable to capitalize on set pieces and corner kicks as the game would end in a tie. Lindenwood had the slight advantage over the Panthers in corner kicks with six compared to EIU's five and both teams had the same amount of shots (14) and fouls (10) throughout the game.
Matteo Landais and
Luca Bartoni led the Lions in shots with three each, while
Gavin Csiszar recorded his fourth assist on the season. The Senior from Medina, Ohio has registered an assist in three straight games and has a total of 16 points on the 2025 season with one game to play in the regular season. The Lions tied for the third time this season, with two of the three ties being at home.
"EIU has improved a lot since the last time we played them." said Head coach Kris Bertsch. "They scored on a restart goal which was the first restart goal we have given up all year. I give a lot of credit to them as they made us work and it was a well-earned 1-1 tie."
Kris Bertsch on being 2025 OVC Regular Season Champions
"I reflect back to when I first got here. We worked really hard and there were some believers who believed in the vision and the mission and there are many guys from the 2023 team that are here lifting the trophy. I'm so very proud that those boys are champions."
The Lions will wrap up their 2025 regular season on Sunday when they travel to Macomb, Illinois to take on the Western Illinois Leathernecks. Kick off from Macomb is scheduled for 1 p.m.
