Game Day Info
Lindenwood (0-0) at Illinois State (0-0)
Thursday, August 14 | 6:00 p.m. CST
Adelaide Street Field | Normal, Ill.
Watch | Live Stats

Preview
The Lindenwood women's soccer team opens their season on Thursday with a road match against Illinois State. The Lions are coming off a 2024 season in which they secured Lindenwood's first conference championships since beginning the transition to NCAA Division-I in 2022. The Lions are 0-1 all-time versus the Redbirds, with the two programs' lone matchup coming during the 2022 season. Thursday's action is set to get underway at 6 p.m. at Adelaide Street Field on the campus of ISU.

Team Notes
Lindenwood posted a record of 11-5-4 in 2024, finishing third in the OVC regular season standings before winning three consecutive games in the conference tournament to take the championship crown.

The Lions return an abundance of production and experience off last season's squad, including three All-OVC performers in Mackenzie Compton, Tasneem Dizdarevic, and Caroline Ritter.

LU brings back 10 of their top 11 minutes leaders from last season, along with four of their top five goal scorers and points leaders.

Lindenwood welcomes seven newcomers to this season's team, including six freshman and one transfer.

The Lions were second in the OVC last season in goals for (27) and goals against (18), with a conference-best average margin of 0.40. They also led the league in shots (289) and save percentage (.811).

LU was picked to finish second in the OVC's 2025 Preseason Poll.

Lindenwood is led by eighth year head coach Dave Musso, who was named 2024 OVC Coach of the Year.

The Lions are 4-2-1 in season openers under Musso's stewardship.

Player Notes
Mackenzie Compton was named 2024 OVC Freshman of the Year after leading LU in points (22), goals (8), and assists (6) a season ago. She was also named MVP of the OVC Tournament after accumulating seven points, three goals, and an assist over three games. Compton led the OVC in points and points per game (1.16).

Tasneem Dizdarevic compiled six points (2g-2a) through 19 total appearances last season with two game-winners. She was a Second-Team All-OVC and All-Newcomer selection.

Caroline Ritter collected a 9-3-3 record in the net for the Lions, recording eight shutouts with 59 stopped shots and a .843 save percentage. She led the OVC with a 0.74 goals against average. She was also a Second-Team All-OVC and All-Newcomer selection.

Anna Johnson was tabbed as Lindenwood's OVC Player to Watch for the 2025 season. Johnson played in 17 games with 16 starts as a sophomore last season, accumulating a total of 1,326 minutes played. She was second on the team in all scoring categories, posting 15 points with six goals and three assists.

Jessica Dodd led all returners with 1,758 minutes played last season. She was followed by seniors Rachel Jackson (1,555) and Lily Sutter (1,524). Jackson leads the team in career starts (54) while Sutter leads in career appearances (56).

Opponent Notes
Illinois State posted a record of 6-10-4 last season, finishing seventh in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Like the Lions, the Redbirds return much of their production from last season, including their top seven points leaders. They bring back 10 players who saw over 1,000 minutes of action in 2024.

Eily Henderson led ISU in goals (3) last season, while Erika Wells led the team with five assists. Both players posted a team-high seven points.

St. Charles native Madi Valenti started 18 games in goal for Illinois State in 2024, recording a 1.54 goals against average with a .741 save percentage.

The Redbirds are led by second-year head coach Raleigh DeRose.

Next Up
Lindenwood will stay on the road for a matchup at Murray State on Sunday, August 17th at 2 p.m. The Lions' first home match is slated for Thursday, August 21st at 6 p.m. against Evansville.