- 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.
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - The Eastern Illinois men's soccer team earned its first Ohio Valley Conference win of the season Thursday night, defeating Southern Indiana 6-2. The Panthers scored four goals in the first half and added two more in the second to improve to 2-5-2 overall and 1-1-0 in OVC play.
Eastern Illinois' offensive performance brought back memories of the program's historic 8 goal match against UIC on August 29, 2002, as the Panthers once again showcased their scoring ability with a dominant first-half effort.
EIU came out aggressive from the opening whistle, scoring four goals in the first half while holding the Screaming Eagles scoreless. Sergej Misic, Nolan Getzinger, Keidin Green, and Bernardo Hanel each found the back of the net during the opening 45 minutes. Joao Peres recorded two assists in the first half, helping the Panthers build a commanding lead heading into the break.
The Panthers continued their offensive pressure in the second half, adding two more goals to extend their advantage. Getzinger scored his second goal of the night to finish with a team-high two goals, while Conner Bayliss also contributed a goal. Misic finished with one goal on five shots, including three shots on target, while Green added a goal of his own.
Hanel also recorded a goal off the bench, giving the Panthers another scoring option in the attacking third. Luiz Anchieta contributed an assist, while Peres finished the match with two assists to lead the team in that category.
Southern Indiana responded with two second-half goals from Nolan Stevens, who scored twice off the bench, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome. The Screaming Eagles finished with 14 shots, including eight on goal, compared to 17 shots and 12 shots on target for Eastern Illinois.
Defensively, goalkeeper Kai Odagiri played all 90 minutes for the Panthers, recording six saves while earning the victory. EIU also controlled the corner-kick battle, finishing with 11 corners compared to three for Southern Indiana.
SIUE 1, WESTERN ILLINOIS 0
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - SIUE men's soccer won its third consecutive game Thursday night shutting out Western Illinois 1-0 at Korte Stadium.
The Cougars have won each of their first two games in Ohio Valley Conference play and sit alone atop the standings after two games. SIUE improved to 4-4-1 overall.
Western Illinois fell to 3-5-2 overall and 1-1 in the OVC.
Juan Rodas collected his first goal as a Cougar in the 30th minute when he headed home a corner kick from Elliott Foretier. The goal officially came 19 seconds after Rodas subbed into the game and stood as the game winner.
Freshman goalkeeper Brady Cochrane made his first career start in goal and turned away all four of WIU's shots on goal to earn his first shutout.
For the game, the Leathernecks outshot the Cougars 11-8 overall. Both teams finished with four shots on target.
UTRGV, HCU
EDINBURG, Texas - The match was suspended due to weather with UTRGV leading 1-0 at the 21:42 mark of the first half. According to 2026 and 2027 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Soccer Rule 7.7.2, the match shall be resumed from the point of interruption, and all statistics will carry over to the resumed game, including cards.