UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. - The Lincoln men's soccer team, ranked No. 16 in the United States Soccer Coaches Division II Poll, played Saginaw Valley State, the 2025 regular season champions of the GLIAC, to a 2-2 draw in the season opener both squads on Thursday afternoon (Aug. 27).
The Cardinals struck first, finding the back of the net in the 23rd minute of the match. Saginaw Valley State maintained the 1-0 lead through the end of the half, but the Blue Tigers scored the equalizer on an unassisted goal by
Ackeem Mullings in the 60th minute.
Just over seven minutes later, SVSU took back the lead on a penalty kick goal. It did not take the Blue Tigers long to answer this time, however, as a corner kick led to
Jerome Lawel scoring in the 71st minute. LU held a 3-2 advantage on shots during the rest of the match, but the Cardinals kept Lincoln from getting a good look at the goal and ended the match with a draw.
Lincoln finished with a 12-11 advantage on total shots, but Saginaw Valley State held a 5-4 edge on shots on goal. Lawel led LU with four shots,
Makwe Nkoana was next with three and
Pedro Gomes attempted two.
Jaden Grant had a shot on goal and
Shadrack Eshun attempted LU's other shot.
Vincent Osei made three saves in the net.
The Blue Tigers will travel to Tahlequah, Okla. on Sunday (Aug. 30) to play Northeastern State at 7:00 p.m. CDT.
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