Two second-half goals by Houston Christian ended the Lindenwood men’s soccer team’s season in the semifinals of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament by a score of 2-0. Lindenwood finishes the year at 11-6-3, and 6-2-2 in the OVC. The loss was the first time Lindenwood had been shut out since an October match against SIUE. The shutout was also only the fourth time Lindenwood had been shutout. Lindenwood ended their season with 39 goals which was the most since the 2016 season, when they netted 52 goals on the season as a team.
The Lions had 13 shots on Wednesday, which was four more than Houston Christian (HCU). Lindenwood also had eight shots on goal compared to just two by the Huskies, but HCU scored on their only two opportunities. The weather was also a factor in much of the game, as a steady rain fell upon the players and the playing surface for the entire game. Eight different Lions had a shot on goal as HCU’s goalkeeper Alex Atiken made seven saves.
It was a relatively quiet first half that saw a 0-0 tie headed into the break, with neither team able to find the back of the net. Josh Francombe had the best chance to score for the Lions as he ripped a shot from distance that missed wide right of the net. Lindenwood’s defense pitched a shutout in the first 45 minutes allowing only five shots from HCU but none were on goal. All of Lindenwood’s defenders played the entire first half.
Houston Christian broke the scoreless tie seven minutes into the second half, off a header by Sam Zeeman past the diving Enzo Gil to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead. Lindenwood appeared to clear the ball out of the box before HCU regained possession and sent a beautiful cross towards the left side of the box that was then volleyed back towards the goal. It was then that Zeeman outjumped a Lion defender, and deposited the ball back into the back of the net. Lindenwood had opportunities to even the score but just wasn’t able to convert. Mekhi Wright came close after ripping a shot from just outside the box but missed outside the right goalpost. Lindenwood’s best opportunity came after HCU committed a foul just outside the top of the box. Ethan Blake lined up to take the free kick. Blake’s shot unfortunately landed right in the open arms of HCU goalie, Alex Atiken.
Houston Christian doubled their lead in the 80th minute, almost off the same play that scored their first goal. HCU had a corner kick and Lindenwood appeared to clear it, but yet again, HCU was faster to the ball regained control, and set a cross back into the box to Ethan Giwa-McNeil. He finished off a header into the back of the net, doubling the Huskies lead and punching their ticket to the OVC Championship game.
Lindenwood’s season comes to an unfortunate end, and the squad will have to wait until next fall to have another shot at the programs first OVC title.
