Lions Open Season With Scoreless Draw At Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE, WI -- The Lindenwood men's soccer team settled for a 0-0 draw in its 2024 regular season opener against the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Thursday evening at Engelmann Stadium.

In what proved to be a battle between two strong defensive teams, Milwaukee outshot Lindenwood 12-11 and had six shots on goal to the Lions' five.

"(It) was a typical early season match where both teams seemed like they were trying to find consistency on both sides of the ball," Lindenwood head coach Kris Bertsch said. "I think it was a match that was a little unsettled and hard to establish rhythm for both teams.

"Over the course of 90 minutes, I thought we created more than enough chances to get on the scoreboard and earn our first victory of the season but we needed more quality in those key moments. Defensively, we were pleased to earn a shutout on the road but know we need to continue getting better with each match moving forward. We look forward to kicking off our home non-conference slate at Hunter Stadium this Sunday."

Team leaders Ethan Blake and John Gates both had scoring chances, but were unable to convert.

Blake's chance came on a shot from 20 yards out that was knocked away by Milwaukee goalkeeper Daniel Ibarra. Gates nearly scored on a breakaway two minutes into the game, but his chance was also stopped by Ibarra.

Lindenwood goalkeeper Enzo Gil made five saves, including two in a row in the 64th minute on a pair of back-to-back shots by the Panthers.

The Lions will now return home for their home opener on Sunday, August 25, against Texas-Rio Grande Valley. That contest will be played at Hunter Stadium and will serve as the opening game of a Lindenwood soccer doubleheader.

The men will play at 1 p.m., and will be followed by a women's game between Lindenwood and Missouri-Kansas City at 4:30 p.m.

2024 LINDENWOOD LIONS MEN'S SOCCER SCHEDULE
August 25 vs. Texas-Rio Grande Valley -- 1 pm
August 29 at Wright State -- 4 pm
September 6 vs. Evansville -- 7 pm
September 8 vs. Westminster -- 3 pm
September 13 at Utah Tech -- 6 pm
September 16 at Utah Valley -- 7 pm
September 22 at St. Thomas -- 1 pm
September 28 at SIUE* -- 7 pm
October 3 at Southern Indiana* -- 1 pm
October 6 vs. Eastern Illinois* -- 3 pm
October 10 vs. SIUE* -- 7 pm
October 13 vs. Western Illinois* -- 3 pm
October 17 at Houston Christian* -- 7 pm
October 20 at Incarnate Word* -- 1 pm
October 25 vs. Liberty* -- 7 pm
October 31 at Eastern Illinois* -- 4 pm
November 3 vs. Southern Indiana* -- 1 pm
November 10-16 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament in Edwardsville, IL
*-denotes Ohio Valley Conference game