The Lindenwood men’s soccer team faced off against the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers in their 2025 season home opener on Tuesday.
The Lions displayed many fresh faces in this game, having hit the transfer portal over the summer and brought in several new recruits for the season. In total, nineteen new players joined the program, alongside the return of forward Ethan Blake, midfielder Josh Francombe, defender Quinn Connolly, forward Jordan Matthews, Jozef Palushaj, midfielder Henrique Perestrelo and defenseman Luke Neely.
The Lions began their season with an impressive performance on the road, defeating Chicago State University 7-0 in their season opener. Senior forward Ethan Blake scored two goals and got an assist in that game, which earned him Co-Offensive Player of the week from the OVC.
The match against the Panthers started with Lindenwood maintaining possession early into the game as both teams began to settle in. The first half was evenly matched until a Panther turnover resulted in a quick counterattack for Lindenwood, which led to sophomore forward Alander Soares scoring the opening goal for the Lions in the 25th minute. It was Soares’ first goal of the season and first in a Lindenwood uniform.
The game grew more physical as the half progressed, with two Panther players receiving yellow cards, including one for a high kick to Perestrelo’s head. The opening 45 minutes came to an end with Lindenwood still up 1-0 as both teams headed into the locker room.
The second half intensified early with graduate midfielder Gavin Csiszar receiving a yellow card as both teams tried to out-physical each other and get the other to yield.
The Panthers tied the match in the 59th minute after a nice cross from Alejandro Zuniga to Dominic Zuniga eventually found the head of Ollie Weir, who outjumped Lindenwood defender Mikey Lennon, to put a header past Quinn Closson to tie the match at 1-1.
Both teams continued to play physically as the fouls continued to pile up. Milwaukee racked up 16 fouls and three yellow cards while the Lions tallied 14 fouls and two yellow cards as a team.
The match remained tied until Lindenwood earned a corner kick late in the game, set up by a nice play from Blake, who outhustled a Panther defenseman to the ball and had a cross attempt blocked out the back line to set up the corner. Graduate midfielder Matteo Landis took the corner, leading to a deflected header by senior defender Leandro Haesler that set up the game-winning goal by Quinn Connolly in the 81st minute.
Lindenwood held on for a 2-1 victory to remain undefeated to start the season, and are now off to their best start since 2015. They will next face Wright State University at home on Sunday, August 31st, at 3:00 PM at Hunter Stadium.
