The Lindenwood Lions celebrate winning their season opener, Thursday night, against Chicago State. (Photo: Thomas Grove)

NCAA Men’s Soccer12Final
Chicago State (0-1)000
Lindenwood (1-0)123

SCORING SUMMARY

TimeTeamDescription
26:41LUPhilip Viberg Rasmussen (1)
Assisted By: Luke Neely.
62:23LULuca Bartoni (1)
Assisted By: Gabriel Tonks.
87:33LULuca Bartoni (2)
Assisted By: Philip Viberg Rasmussen , Ryan Holmes.

ST. CHARLES, MO — The Lindenwood University men’s soccer team won its 2026 season opener with a 3-0 shutout over Chicago State, Thursday night at Hunter Stadium.

The Lions got a huge night from fifth-year senior Luca Bartoni, who scored two goals — both in the second half — to power its attack. Goalkeeper Quinn Closson, another fifth-year senior, made one save on the only shot he faced to earn the win.

Lindenwood controlled the action all night and outshot the visiting Cougars, 18-1.

“I think over the course of 90 minutes it was a professional performance.” Lindenwood head coach Kris Bertsch said. “Obviously there are a lot of areas on both sides of the ball that we got to improve upon, but the 3-0 result means we scored some goals and were able to get the shut out.”

The Lindenwood Lions won their 2026 season opener, 3-0, over Chicago State. (Photo: Thomas Grove)

Freshman Philip Viberg Rasmussen, a forward from Denmark playing in his first ever game in America, scored the first goal of the game in the 27th minute, on a play assisted by senior teammate Luke Neely.

Turned out that that one goal was all LU would need. But just to make sure, Bartoni banged two home in the second half to help the Lions cruise to victory.

The first one came in the 63rd minute, when Bartoni deflected in a rebound, following a shot by Gabriel Tonks. Bartoni got his second goal in the 88th minute, following a couple of nice passes by Viberg Rasmussen and Ryan Holmes.

The victory over Chicago State was the second straight time Lindenwood began its season with a win over the Cougars. Last year, the Lions won 7-0. And overall LU is 4-0 in its matchups against CSU.

Lindenwood will be back in action on Monday, when it will go on the road to face Indiana University-Indianapolis. LU’s next home game will be Wednesday, August 26, at Hunter Stadium against Blackburn College.

2026 LINDENWOOD LIONS MEN’S SOCCER SCHEDULE

DateTimeAtOpponentLocationTVResults
August 20, 2026 (Thursday)7:00 p.m.HomeChicago StateHunter StadiumW, 3-0 (1-0)
August 24, 2026 (Monday)2:00 p.m.AwayIU IndyIndianapolis, IN
August 26, 2026 (Wednesday)7:00 p.m.HomeBlackburn CollegeHunter Stadium
August 30, 2026 (Sunday)12:00 p.m.AwayWright StateDayton, OH
September 4, 2026 (Friday)4:00 p.m.AwayButler Indianapolis, IN
September 11, 2026 (Friday)7:00 p.m.HomeEvansvilleHunter Stadium
September 15, 2026 (Tuesday)7:00 p.m.HomeTulsaHunter Stadium
September 20, 2026 (Sunday)9:00 p.m.AwaySeattle UniversitySeattle, WA
September 26, 2026 (Saturday)6:30 p.m.AwayTexas Rio Grande Valley*Edinburg, TX
October 1, 2026 (Thursday)7:00 p.m.HomeIncarnate Word*Hunter Stadium
October 4, 2026 (Sunday)1:00 p.m.HomeHouston Christian*Hunter Stadium
October 8, 2026 (Thursday)7:00 p.m.HomeTexas Rio Grande Valley*Hunter Stadium
October 11, 2026 (Sunday)3:00 p.m.HomeWestern Illinois*Hunter Stadium
October 15, 2026 (Thursday)6:00 p.m.AwaySIU-Edwardsville*Edwardsville, IL
October 18, 2026 (Sunday)3:00 p.m.AwaySouthern Indiana*Evansville, IN
October 23, 2026 (Friday)7:00 p.m.HomeEastern Illinois*Hunter Stadium
October 29, 2026 (Thursday)7:00 p.m.AwayHouston Christian*Houston, TX
November 1, 2026 (Sunday)1:00 p.m.AwayIncarnate Word*San Antonio, TX
November 8-14, 2026 TBAHomeOhio Valley Conference TournamentHunter Stadium