DAYTON – The Wright State men's soccer team defeated Lindenwood in their 2024 home opener on Thursday night. Goals from Edwin Espinal-Elvir, Pete Schneider, Cole Werthmuller, and Jonah Williams gave Wright State their 4-1 win over the Lions.
 
Wright State (1-1-0) bested Lindenwood (0-2-1) in shots (11-9), shots on goal (10-5), and corner kicks (10-4). Felix Ezekwuka led the Raiders with three shots, all on goal, followed by Werthmuller's two shots, both on goal. Joel Shaw made his Wright State debut, logging all 90 minutes while recording four saves and allowing one goal.
 
Joining Shaw with 90 minutes was junior newcomer Zakaria Amro. Jack Jenkins and Brock Pickett each logged 84 minutes, followed by Conner Osterholt with 76 minutes.
 
The Lions were the first to score, as Anel Kafedzic found the back of the net in the 19th minute. Espinal-Elvir added his second goal of the season with a pass from Roman Kedgley, tying the score in the 28th minute. Wright State gained the lead as Uleto Fuentes set up Williams to score his first collegiate goal in the 37th minute, 2-1.
 
The first 25 minutes of the second half were scoreless, as the Raiders added four shots to the Lion's five, with neither finding success. But this was soon to change as Werthmuller sunk a pass from Osterholt in the 72nd minute, raising Wright State's advantage 3-1. Adding another collegiate first, Schneider scored the final goal of the day in the 80th minute with assists from Brian Burkett and Werthmuller.
 
The Raiders will return in a road match, traveling to Loretto, Pennsylvania to take on Saint Francis on Sunday, September 1 at 1 p.m. Fans can keep up with the action through NEC livestreaming or with live stats.