On Wednesday evening, August 5, the Lindenwood Lions will welcome the Missouri Tigers to Dave Steward Field in St. Charles, Missouri, for an exhibition clash that marks the first test of a new‑look roster.
The Lions enter the match as they begin their fifth season at the Division‑I level, a stretch that has seen them post a cumulative record of 30‑31‑16 since 2022 and string together back‑to‑back ten‑win campaigns. Under head coach Dave Musso, now in his ninth year at the helm, the team returns with eight starters and 160 of the 220 athletes who featured in 2025, including All‑OVC selections that helped the program capture the 2024 OVC Tournament title and reach the conference final a year ago.
Key storylines to watch
Missouri, guided by Stefanie Golan in her fifth season in Columbia, arrives with a 4‑10‑3 record from the previous campaign and a 1‑7‑2 mark in SEC play. The Tigers’ offense, anchored by Emily Derucki and Olivia Chianelli, who each tallied six points last year, will look to improve on a season that saw them score 15 goals while conceding 22.
The exhibition serves as a measuring stick before the regular season opener against Bellarmine on Thursday, August 13 at 6:00 p.m., a game that will kick off a schedule that promises to test both squads as they fine‑tune strategies and chemistry.
Fans will be eager to see how the returning All‑OVC players mesh with newcomers, while the Tigers hope to translate their shooting volume — averaging 9.17 shots per game in 2025 — into more accurate finishes. The match also offers a first glimpse of Mackenzie Compton, Tasneem Dizdarevic, Allison Schrumpf and Alysse Lamb in action for Lindenwood, each of whom contributed to the program’s recent success.
With both coaches emphasizing development and preparation, the August 5 exhibition promises to be more than a warm‑up; it could set the tone for a season that aims to elevate Lindenwood’s profile and challenge Missouri’s rebuilding efforts.