Box Score

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TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The No. 24-ranked Northeastern State men's soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision to No. 7 Lindenwood Thursday night at DeLoache Field.
 
The RiverHawks (5-2-3, 2-1-1 MIAA) now find themselves fighting an uphill battle both in conference and NCAA postseason positioning, while the Lions (11-0-1, 4-0-1 MIAA) stay atop the league table.
 
Northeastern State outshot Lindenwood 14-10, but it was the road side that would take advantage of opportunities.
 
Ignacio Romero put the Lions on top in the 16th minute, and Aris Nukic added an insurance marker 37 seconds into the second half.
 
The RiverHawks were able to find a marker from sophomore forward Joel Mendoza in the 53rd minute, but Lindenwood held on to give the home club its second-straight defeat and its first in regulation.
 
Freshman goalkeeper Jackson Biles (2-1-1) suffered the loss after making three saves. Fermin Hughes (11-0-1) earned the win on the other side of the pitch after finishing with seven saves.
 
Northeastern State remains home and will face Southwest Baptist at 7 p.m. Oct. 19.
 
Scoring Summary
LWU                 1          1          –          2
NSU                 0          1          –          1
 
Individual Scoring
Ignacio Romero (LWU) at 15:51 (Aris Nukic)
Aris Nukic (LWU) at 45:37 (Alejandro Da Silva)
Joel Mendoza (NSU) at 52:18 (unassisted)
 
Goalkeeper Saves
Fermin Hughes (LWU) – 7
Jackson Biles (NSU) – 3
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE COACH ROB CZLONKA
Statement…
"It was a good game. I thought our guys played very well. We had two minor mistakes, and Lindenwood made us pay for both. Those were the only two mistakes defensively that I thought we made in the game. I thought had possession for much of the game. We connected our passes the way we wanted to. We got in the box and had opportunities. There were several times where I thought we were about to score and they got a touch or poke on the ball and it just wasn't meant to be tonight. I'd like to think we would get another crack at them if we can make the MIAA tournament. I'm proud of how our guys played.
 
On the NCAA hopes…
"Obviously we have taken two hits in a row now, but they have been to two really good teams. The ball is still in our court in terms of, if we play well then we will still have a chance to make the NCAA Championship tournament. We need to go through these next couple matches and get a couple W's and try to build some momentum."
 
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