NORMAL, Ill. – The Lindenwood women's soccer team opened the 2025 campaign with a 2-1 victory over Illinois State in Normal on Thursday evening. After not recording a single shot in the first half, the Lions posted seven shots with four shots on goal in the second half, finding the back of the net twice.
Game Overview
The Redbirds were on the front foot early on, taking three shots with two on goal in the game's first 15 minutes compared to zero for the Lions. However, ISU was unable to find an early go-ahead score thanks to some great goalkeeping from
Caroline Ritter, including a fantastic leaping save on a ball to the top left corner in the game's 14th minute.
The teams settled into a stalemate for the remainder of the half, with neither side recording any other shots in the final 30 minutes before the break.
The stalemate would be broken in the third minute of the second half, as
Mackenzie Compton drew a penalty in the box, allowing
Tasneem Dizdarevic to score the season's opening goal on a shot to the bottom left corner from the spot.
The Lions kept the pressure on, getting off four more shots in the next five minutes of game action. However, none of those chances found the back of the net, and Illinois State equalized in the 53rd minute when Chloe St. Cline managed to poke a ball over Ritter and across the goal line.
The Lions responded 10 minutes later on a perfectly placed shot by
Anna Johnson from just inside the box, which found its way past multiple Redbird defenders and the goalkeeper to tuck itself inside the right post and put LU in front 2-1. Johnson was assisted by
Ava Blum.Â
With less than 20 minutes remaining, ISU's Rhylan Law delivered a quality strike from outside the box, but
Caroline Ritter was again up to the challenge, fully extending to push the ball over the crossbar and preserve the Lindenwood lead.
It proved to be the game-saving play, as the Redbirds failed to find another shot on goal, and the Lions came away with a 2-1 win to open the season.
The victory brings Lindenwood's all-time record against Illinois State to 1-1 and improves
Dave Musso's record in season-openers to 5-2-1.
Quotable
"It's always great to start the season with a win, especially on the road. Our players played hard, played well as a unit, and had to play a gritty game to get the win." - Lindenwood head coach
Dave Musso.Â
Next Up
On tap for the Lions is a trip to Murray State to take on the Racers on Sunday afternoon. Kickoff is slated for 2:00 p.m. CT
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