Complete Game Notes
Game #1: No. 16 Lincoln (12-2-6 in 2025) at Saginaw Valley State (11-3-4 in 2025)
Date: Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026
Time: 1:30 p.m. CDT
Site: University City, Mich.
Live Stats: https://svsucardinals.com/sidearmstats/msoc/
Live Video: https://flosports.link/3Rp6NHv
 
Game #2: Lincoln at Northeastern State (8-8-3 in 2025)
Date: Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
Site: Tahlequah, Okla.
Live Stats: https://goriverhawksgo.com/sidearmstats/msoc
Live Video: https://www.themiaanetwork.com/nsugoriverhawks/
 
THE KICK OFF:  After making a run to the NCAA Sweet 16 in just its second season back on campus, the Lincoln men's soccer program opens its 2026 campaign this week as a nationally-ranked program. The Blue Tigers start the 2026 season on Thursday afternoon (Aug. 27) with a trip to University City, Mich. to play Saginaw Valley State, a GLIAC school that went 11-3-4 last season. This season opening tilt for both programs will kick off at 1:30 p.m. CDT. On Sunday night (Aug. 30), Lincoln will travel to Tahlequah, Okla. to play Northeastern State at 7:00 p.m. CDT. The RiverHawks, and MIAA program, went 8-8-3 a year ago. Lincoln, meanwhile, was unbeaten during the 2025 regular season and ended the year with an 12-2-6 overall record. The Blue Tigers open 2026 ranked No. 16 in the United Soccer Coaches Division II preseason poll, and were also voted as the favorites to win the GLVC in the conference's preseason coaches poll.
 
QUICK KICKS
- Lincoln was ranked as high as No. 10 in the country at one point during the 2025 regular season and entered the NCAA tournament rated No. 15 nationally.
 
- The Blue Tigers played seven opponents to a draw last year, but have not lost a regular season match since Nov. 1, 2024, when LU fell on a last-second goal to Rockhurst, 2-1, in Jefferson City.
 
- Under head coach Sammy Samuels, Lincoln owns a two-year overall record of 17-8-11.
 
- Saginaw Valley State is the first GLIAC opponent that the Blue Tigers will play since Lincoln restored its soccer program in 2024.
 
- LU and Northeastern State played last year, with the Blue Tigers winning at home, 3-1.
 
PREVIEWING THE BLUE TIGERS:  Vincent Osei made 79 saves and posted a save percentage of .798 en route to earning All-GLVC second team honors in 2025. Hadri Lopez is the top-returning scorer after recording four goals and five assists a year ago. Kanye Francis finished last season with six points while Adam Griffiths had three. Jadiel Chance and Antwone Gooden provide depth in goal while Junior Grizzelle, Ateibo Green and Makwe Nkoana are among the other forwards back for the 2026 season.
 
HEAD COACH SAMMY SAMUELS:  A proven winner, Sammy Samuels is in his third season as the head coach of the Lincoln men's soccer team. Last year, Samuels led the Blue Tigers to a 10-0-6 record in the regular season as well as a berth in the NCAA Sweet 16. During five seasons as the head coach at Maine-Fort Kent, Samuels coached 13 All-Americans and posted a 53-12-8 record. During that span, UMFK won the 2022 USCAA national title and was the national runner-up in both 2019 and 2021.
 
SCOUTING THE CARDINALS:  Matty Telfer is the top-returning offensive player for Saginaw Valley State after scoring seven goals and adding four assists in 16 starts. The Cardinals won 11 matches, won the GLIAC regular season title and advanced to the GLIAC tourney championship match, but return only two of 11 players who had at least three points in 2025. The second is Narcis Gavalda, who notched a goal and an assist. Back in the net is Nick Kay, who played every minute in 2025 and made 40 saves.
 
SCOUTING THE RIVERHAWKS:  Last year's starting keeper, Cameron McColloch, is back for NSU after making 53 saves in 1,439 minutes. All three of Northeastern State's top scorers are also back, led by Carter Adams, who scored 10 goals and supplied three assists in 2025. Both Marco Cornello and Martin Martinez scored three goals, and Jack Smith is back after finding the back of the net twice last season.
 
SWEET 16: For the first time in program history, the Lincoln men's soccer team will begin a season ranked in the national top-25. The Blue Tigers are the No. 16 team in the United Soccer Coaches DII preseason poll, and join No. 13 Rockhurst as the only two GLVC programs among the top-25. LU climbed as high as No. 10 in the national ratings last season and ended the regular season ranked No. 15 in the country.
 
THE COACHES LOVE THEM:  According to the GLVC Coaches Preseason Poll, the Blue Tigers are the favorite to win the conference in 2026. Lincoln received six first-place votes and 192 total points to secure the top overall ranking among the 15 league schools. Rockhurst also had six first-place votes and was picked second with 180 points. Maryville claimed two first-place votes while the other one went to Indianapolis.
 
ALL-REGION:  Defender Adam Griffiths was a big reason why Lincoln went undefeated in the 2025 regular season, and his performance was rewarded with a spot on the All-Midwest Region second team. Griffiths had three assists last year and helped Lincoln lead the GLVC with a +20 goal differential. He also helped the Blue Tigers post six shutouts.
 
ALL-GLVC:  A pair of returning Blue Tigers made the All-GLVC list after Lincoln's stellar 2025 season. Adam Griffiths was named to the second team as a defender while Vincent Osei was a second team goalkeeper selection. Both players helped Lincoln post six shutouts, with Osei ended the regular season ranked 33rd in NCAA Division II in total saves.
 
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN:  All of Lincoln's home matches this season will be played at Capital City High School. Lincoln is 3-0 all-time at that venue, including a 4-0 victory over Missouri S&T in the GLVC tournament and a shootout win over Tiffin in the NCAA tourney last year. Lincoln also beat Drury, 7-0, at CCHS in 2024.
 
GOODEN-OUGH FOR TWO SPORTS:  Antwone Gooden is pulling double duty this fall as a member of both LU's men's soccer team and its football team. Gooden, a backup keeper, made two saves last season while not allowing a goal. Gooden will serve as LU's punter on the gridiron.
 
JOIN THE CLUB:  The Blue Tiger Athletics Club is a great way to engage with other LU fans while supporting all Lincoln student-athletes. Every dollar raised by the club goes towards scholarships, improving the facilities and purchasing equipment. To join the BTAC, or to learn more, please visit www.LUBlueTigers.com/BTAC.
 
WATCH LIVE:  Fans who are unable to attend a game in person will still be able to cheer on their Blue Tigers to victory via the GLVC Sports Network. All seven Lincoln home games will be broadcast live and can be watched at https://www.glvcsn.com/lincolnbluetigers/.
 
GEAR UP FOR THE GAME:  Lincoln fans can get everything they need for the game at www.BlueTigersStore.com, the official online store for LU athletics. Everything from jerseys to office supplies can be found on the site, with a portion of all online sales going to benefit Lincoln athletics.
 
NEXT UP:  Lincoln opens its GLVC slate on the road next Saturday (Sept. 5), as the Blue Tigers travel to Springfield, Ill. to play Illinois-Springfield in a 5:30 p.m. CDT contest.