Game Day Information
Match: Lindenwood Lions (1-0) vs. Murray State Racers (1-0)
Date: Sunday, August 15 | Time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Location: Cutchin Field, Murray, Kentucky
Watch: Live Stats available
Match Preview
The Lindenwood women’s soccer team is set to travel to Murray State for an exciting matchup, coming off a successful victory against Illinois State earlier this week. The Lions currently hold a 1-1 all-time record against the Racers, having secured a narrow 1-0 win in their latest clash earlier this year. Fans can look forward to the game kicking off at 12 p.m. CT on Sunday.
Last Time Out
In their season opener, Lindenwood triumphed over Illinois State with a final score of 2-1. The Lions faced a challenging first half, failing to register a shot, but rallied back in the second half, launching seven shots, four of which were on target. Goals from Tasneem Dizdarevic and Anna Johnson clinched the victory, while goalkeeper Caroline Ritter showcased her skills with five crucial saves.
Season Outlook and Team Highlights
Lindenwood has made a strong start to the 2025 season, building on a successful 2024 campaign in which they recorded an 11-5-4 season and finished third in the OVC standings. The squad returns experienced players, including three All-OVC honorees: Mackenzie Compton, Tasneem Dizdarevic, and Caroline Ritter. With 10 starters back from last year, the Lions are in a commanding position, bringing back four of their top five goal scorers.
- **Goals For**: 27 (second in OVC last season)
- **Goals Against**: 18 (second in OVC last season)
- **Average Margin**: 0.40 (best in conference)
- **Shots Taken**: 289 (led OVC)
- **Save Percentage**: .811 (best in conference)
The team has also welcomed seven newcomers to the roster, consisting of six freshmen and one transfer.
Key Player Insights
Leading the charge for Lindenwood is Mackenzie Compton, recognized as the 2024 OVC Freshman of the Year after finishing last season with 22 points. Her performance in the conference tournament earned her the MVP title.
- **Tasneem Dizdarevic**: Contributed six points last season with game-winning goals.
- **Caroline Ritter**: Excelled in goal last season, boasting .843 save percentage and leading the conference with a 0.74 goals against average.
- **Anna Johnson**: Anticipated to be a significant player this season, she logged 1,326 minutes last year, gaining recognition as Lindenwood’s OVC Player to Watch.
- **Jessica Dodd**: Logged over 1,758 minutes, leading the team in playing time among returners.
Opponent Overview
Murray State comes into the match with a record of 1-0, having defeated Troy 2-0 in their opener. This victory marked an important milestone for head coach Matt Lodge, as it was his 61st career win, making him the all-time wins leader for the program.
- **Key Players**: Senior forward Mary Hardy and sophomore forward Breece Bass were named to the Preseason All-Missouri Valley teams.
- **Performance 2024**: Murray State had a season record of 5-8-5 but demonstrated a strong home performance with a 3-3-2 record.
With a core of experienced players—10 of whom made at least 10 starts last season—the Racers are poised to be competitive as they face Lindenwood.
Upcoming Matches
Following their encounter with Murray State, Lindenwood will return to Hunter Stadium for two non-conference matches next week. They will face the University of Evansville on Thursday at 6 p.m., followed by a matchup against Omaha at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
