The Lindenwood Men's Soccer team launches its 2026 season at home against Chicago State on August 20 at 7:00 p.m. CT. After a successful 2025 season, where they finished 14-3-4 and clinched their first Division I National Tournament spot, the Lions aim to build on that momentum. Head Coach Kris Bertsch, named OVC Coach of the Year, has a strong lineup featuring standout forward Luca Bartoni, who was recognized as the OVC Forward of the Year last season. The Lions are favored to win again, earning 11 out of 16 first-place votes in the OVC preseason poll while welcoming 23 new athletes to the roster.

By the Numbers
  • Lindenwood holds a 9-0-3 home record at Steward Field last season.
  • Luca Bartoni scored 7 goals and provided 5 assists in the 2025 season.
State of Play
  • Lindenwood enters the match as a strong contender, having dominated Chicago State 7-0 in their previous meeting.
  • The Cougars are looking to improve after a challenging 2025 season with a 1-15-1 record.
What's Next

Following the match against Chicago State, the Lions will play IU Indy on August 24 and Blackburn College on August 26, aiming to extend their winning streak early in the season.

Bottom Line

Lindenwood鈥檚 strong preseason positioning and the return of key players signal a promising start to their 2026 campaign, underlining their ambition to replicate or exceed last year's success.