Lindenwood Men's Soccer etched a milestone into the program's history by winning the Ohio Valley Conference championship in 2025, securing the first NCAA Tournament berth ever for the university. The Lions closed the season with a 14‑3‑4 record, a performance that placed them among the nation's elite and signaled a turning point for the program.
Record‑breaking performance
Coach Kris Bertsch was honored as the 2025 OVC Coach of the Year after guiding the team to a historic 14 wins, the most in the NCAA era since 2013. The squad's defense was equally impressive, posting a 0.52 goals‑against average and recording 12 shutouts, both OVC records that underscored the team's balance between attack and resilience.
Offensively, the Lions were led by returning forward Luca Bartoni, the reigning OVC Forward of the Year, who contributed seven goals and five assists in the previous season, and midfielder Quinn Closson, whose 8‑0‑1 record in goalkeeping helped preserve the team's defensive stability. Their combined experience provided a potent mix of creativity and reliability.
Building the future
The 2026 roster reflects a strategic blend of continuity and new blood. In addition to the core returnees, the team welcomed experienced forward Ryan Holmes, a 2024 Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year, and David Magalhaes, a first‑team all‑conference attacker, both expected to bolster the front line. Overall, 23 newcomers joined five returning players, creating depth across all positions.
The season opener will take place at home against Chicago State, followed by a road test at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Both matches will be held at Hunter Stadium, which will also host the OVC tournament from November 8‑14 for the second consecutive year, giving the Lions a familiar venue to defend their title.