On Tuesday morning, Quinn Closson and Luke Neely were named the Ohio Valley Conference Goalkeeper and Defender of the Week respectively. Closson and Neely become the second and third players from the 2026 Lindenwood Men's Soccer squad to win an OVC Player of the Week award as they join Luca Bartoni, who won back-to-back OVC Offensive Player of the Week awards to start the 2026 season. 

Neely anchored the Lions defense who allowed seven total shots on goal in two matches played last week against Tulsa and Seattle. Neely played all 180 minutes and helped lead the backline of Lindenwood's defense who picked up their fourth shutout of the 2026 campaign last Tuesday against Tulsa.

Meanwhile, Closson added his OVC-leading third cleansheet of the season in the 0-0 draw against Tulsa, recording a season-high five saves in 90 minutes of action. Four of the five saves against the Golden Hurricane happened late in the second half, and Closson ended the week with six saves as he added one save in the 1-1 draw at Seattle on Sunday. The fifth year goalkeeper from Fairfield, Connecticut leads the OVC in several goalkeeping categories including GAA (.80), shutouts (three), and save percentage (.760). 

Neely, Closson, and the rest of the Lions will return to action on Saturday night as they begin OVC play on the road at UTRGV. Kick off from Edinburg, Texas is set for 6:30 PM on ESPN+.