The Lindenwood Men's Soccer team (4-2-4, 1-0-1 OVC) defeated Incarnate Word on Thursday afternoon by a final score of 2-0 to remain unbeaten through their first two Ohio Valley Conference matches. The Lions scored twice in the second half to move to four points in the OVC standings and improved their home record to 3-1-1 on the 2026 season.
Despite neither team finding the back of the net in the opening 45 minutes, the Lindenwood defense held firm by limiting the Cardinals to just two first-half shots. The Lions recorded five shots, with two being on target from Thato Lekgetho and Ryan Holmes. Lindenwood created several scoring opportunities throughout the first half, but the attempts either missed the target or were turned away by the UIW goalkeeper.
The Lions had their two best scoring opportunities of the opening frame within a three-minute span. Philip Viberg Rasmussen found open space just inside the box in the 25th minute and fired a shot that went just wide of the right post. Two minutes later, Thato Lekgetho took a shot that went through the goalkeeper's legs and struck the right post, but the ball stayed out of the net as the match remained scoreless heading into halftime.
Ryan Holmes broke the scoreless tie in the 56th minute after converting his second penalty kick of the season, 11 minutes into the second half. David Magalhaes drew the penalty after the Lions created a quality scoring chance that was broken up by a foul inside the box by UIW. Holmes continued to apply pressure in the 59th minute, recording two shots inside the box within a span of six seconds where his first attempt was blocked, while the second was denied as the Lions remained in front by one goal with 30 minutes remaining.
Over the final 30 minutes, the Cardinals recorded five shots, with two on target, both of which were handled by Quinn Closson, who recorded his third cleansheet in his last four starts. The Lindenwood defense did not allow a shot over the final 10 minutes of play before Jeremiah Trusty extended the Lions' lead in the 89th minute off a pass from Eddy Mwanje. After receiving the pass, the freshman midfielder sent a shot past the right side of the UIW goalkeeper and into the bottom-right corner of the net to give Lindenwood a two-goal victory in their conference home opener.
"All of these OVC games are always tough." said Head Coach Kris Bertsch. "I was pleased we went to halftime 0-0 and we were able to get a goal quite early in the second half. I'm very happy we got a shutout, and a lot of guys worked today, especially some guys off the bench who added a lot of energy. It was a good, solid win."
The Lions will remain at home as they welcome Houston Christian on Sunday. Kickoff from Steward Field at Hunter Stadium is set for 1 p.m. CT and will be streamed on ESPN+.
