KIRKSVILLE, Mo.—The Truman Men's Soccer team took the field on Sunday against Lindenwood looking to close out their season on a high note and get their first winning streak since winning four straight between September 7-22. Matt Yankowitz and Jeff Masters each scored a goal in their final game and an own goal spurred Truman on to a 3-1 win.
The first half was a high paced, but neither team was able to test the opponent's goalkeeper until the 26th minute when Yankowitz scored on a penalty shot. Masters had made a great run down the left flank and was in position to shoot when he was body checked by a Lindenwood defender. The penalty was called and Yankowitz buried it as the goaltender went to his right but guessed wrong as Yankowitz drilled the ball into the open corner. The Lions would get their first shot on goal shortly after as Luke McBeth tested Julian Echeverri but the Bulldogs keeper was up to the challenge. The first half closed quickly and Truman held a 1-0 lead going into the intermission.
It didn't take long for Lindenwood to find an equalizer in the second half. Gaspar Alvarez scored just over six minutes into the second to make the game even at 1-1. From there, both teams began to pepper the goalies with shots, but it would not be until the 62nd minute when Masters would put Truman back ahead. Between the two teams, there were 18 shots in the second half. Finally, Truman got the clinching goal when Andrew Brennan floated a cross up in front of the net but it went off the foot of a Lion in the area and into the net to give Truman a 3-1 lead.
The 2019 campaign was a step forward for the Bulldogs, who increased their win total from four to seven and went 6-7-1 in conference after winning only two games in GLVC play a season ago.
