Lindenwood Women’s Soccer Faces Western Illinois in Key OVC Matchup
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Lindenwood University’s women’s soccer team travels to Macomb, Illinois, on Sunday, October 12, for a 2:00 p.m. CT contest against Western Illinois University. The Lions (5-4-4, 2-2-1 OVC) aim to build on a recent strong performance against SIUE, while the Leathernecks (1-14, 0-5 OVC) seek their first conference win of the season.
Recent Form and Head-to-Head Record
The Lions are coming off a hard-fought 0-0 draw against SIUE on Thursday night, a result highlighted by goalkeeper Caroline Ritter’s seventh shutout of the season, tying her for the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) lead. Lindenwood dominated possession, outshooting the Cougars 18-9 and limiting them to a single shot on goal. Historically, the series between Lindenwood and Western Illinois is evenly matched, with each team securing one victory in their two previous encounters. Last season, the Lions emerged victorious with a 1-0 win on their home field.
Offensive Prowess and Balanced Attack
Lindenwood’s offense has consistently pressured opposing defenses throughout the season, currently tied for first in the OVC with 181 total shots. While the Lions sit sixth in the conference with 14 goals scored through 13 matches, their attack is remarkably balanced. Eight different players have contributed goals, demonstrating a team-wide commitment to finding the back of the net. Leading the charge are Anna Johnson and Allison Shrink, both with three goals apiece, followed closely by Mackenzie Compton and Tasneem Dizdarevic who have each scored twice.
Set-Piece Dominance and Disciplinary Play
Beyond open play, Lindenwood excels in capitalizing on set-piece opportunities. The team leads the OVC in penalty kick attempts (7) and goals (4), and ranks second in corner kicks with 68 through 13 matches. This proficiency is bolstered by the team’s disciplined play, drawing 158 fouls from opponents while conceding only 100. This advantage creates more opportunities from advantageous positions, contributing to a composed defensive effort.
Defensive Strength and Ritter’s Performance
The Lions’ defense has proven to be a cornerstone of their success, conceding just 14 goals in 13 matches – tied for the second fewest in the OVC. Ritter’s stellar goalkeeping has been instrumental, boasting a save percentage of .811 and a goals-against average of 1.08, ranking her third in the OVC in both categories. She currently has 60 saves on the season, placing her fifth in the conference.
OVC Standings and Upcoming Schedule
Currently, Lindenwood occupies a mid-table position in the OVC standings with seven points, tied with Southeast Missouri. Eastern Illinois and Tennessee Tech lead the conference, while Little Rock and Southern Indiana are closely behind. Following Sunday’s match against Western Illinois, Lindenwood returns home to Hunter Stadium on Thursday for a 3:00 p.m. CT kickoff against Eastern Illinois.
