ST. CHARLES, MO.- The Lindenwood Men's Soccer team improved to 7-0 for the first time since 2013 as they defeated Le Moyne College on Sunday afternoon by a final score of 2-0. With the win, the Lions tie their best start to a season since joining the NCAA back in 2012.
Lindenwood's defense was the difference in the contest. The Lions forced tough shots all game long and didn't allow the Dolphins to get behind their last line of defense. Lindenwood limited the Dolphins to 12 shots in the game with six being on goal as
Quinn Closson recorded a season-high six saves and added his fourth shutout of the season. Closson also recorded an assist in the game.
The Lions struck first in the first half off of a corner kick taken by
Ethan Blake. Blake delivered a cross pass into the middle of the box where the ball would bounce right to
Luke Neely off a misplay by the Dolphin defense. Neely was in the right place at the right time and scored on a header beating the Le Moyne goalkeeper to the top left corner of the goal to give the Lions the lead at 1-0. That lead would hold until halftime as Lindenwood outshot Le Moyne 7-4 in the first half.
In the second half, the Lions would add on to their lead in the 57th minute.
Quinn Closson would set up the attack by delivering a great pass from the net to
Harrison Hubert. Hubert was in the right position ahead of his defender and sent a through ball to
Luca Bartoni who scored off the pass to make it a 2-0 game. Bartoni sent the shot across his body moving to his right and the ball would go off the hands of the Dolphin goalkeeper and into the back of the net. The Lions put 10 of their 17 shots on goal in the game and out shot LeMoyne 10-8 in the second half en route to the 2-0 victory.
"The boys worked really really hard for it today. The conditions were extremely difficult for both teams and I want to commend LeMoyne as well. Lot of resilient guys from both teams to be able to do it, but I'm really excited to be 7-0. " -Head coach
Kris Bertsch on the 2-0 victory over LeMoyne.
The Lions will wrap up their final non conference game of the season next Friday as they will travel to Texas to battle UTRGV. First kick is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on Friday, September 19.
