Matthews, NC – Lincoln Memorial men's soccer claims the 2025 SAC Tournament Champion title with a 1-0 win over Lenoir-Rhyne Sunday evening, the first time since 2007!

The Railsplitters were first to take a shot in the match with Botond Skulka firing a shot in the 8^th minute but was blocked.

After four off- frame attempts from the Bears, they recorded their first shot on goal in the 24^th minute, handing Daniel Bendek Mikloisi his first save of the evening.

Lincoln Memorial then pressured offensively as Ronan O'Mahony Blondel attempted a shot on target in the 25^th minute, followed by Gian-Carlo Kama in the 27^th minute, both saved by the L-R goalkeeper.
Possession was juggled between the two teams for the next ten minutes, as the next shot on goal came in the 35^th minute from Lenoir-Rhyne, but was easily handled by Benedek Miklosi.

The Bears continued to apply pressure with another shot in the 40^th minute, also saved by Miklosi. With that, both teams go into halftime with the match still scoreless at 0-0.

The first 15 minutes of the second half were quiet, as the Bears were only able to fire off two shots and LMU recording none.

Lincoln Memorial had a near goal opportunity as Antonio Talavera's shot in the 73^rd minute hit the crossbar, and Skulka's shot following landed just right of the net.

In the 81^st minute, Antonio Talavera ran down the left side of the 18-yard box and crossed the ball to a running O'Mahony Blondel, who fired the ball into the back of the net to give Lincoln Memorial the 1-0 lead with nine minutes remaining in the match.

The Railsplitters extended their lead in the 85^th minute, O'Mahony Blondel won the ball from the Bears by a slide tackle, which went to Enrique Martin, who passed a through ball to Kama to give him a one-on-one with the L-R goalkeeper. Kama easily slides the ball past the goalkeeper to secure the lead 2-0 with four minutes remaining.

With that, your Lincoln Memorial Railsplitters are the 2025 SAC Men's Soccer Tournament Champions with the 2-0 win!

O'Mahony Blondel and Kama recorded the goals for LMU, as O'Mahony Blondel, Martin, and Talavera tally the assists. O'Mahony Blondel and Kama led in both shots and shots on goal as they each recorded three shots and two shots on goal. Benedek Miklosi registered three saves.

As a team, LMU recorded 11 shots, with four being on goal, three corner kicks, and three saves.
Dani Cruz, Colin Clark, Enrique Martin, and Ronan O'Mahony Blondel were named to the SAC All-Tournament Team, and Ronan O'Mahony Blondel was named Tournament MVP.

With the Championship win, Lincoln Memorial gets an automatic bid to the NCAA DII Men's Soccer Tournament. Match details will be announced after the selection show on Monday, November 17^th at 7 pm.