COLUMBIA, Ky. -- A deep cross from the left side of the box by Michael Azira found Lwandiso Gonya for a header goal in the 17th minute that was all the top ranked Lindsey Wilson College men's soccer team needed to knock off Saint Xavier (Ill.) University 1-0 on Saturday at Walter S. Reuling Stadium.

While winning by just one goal, the Blue Raiders dominated the Cougars in all other areas of the season opener. Lindsey Wilson outshot Saint Xavier 11-3 and held a 9-3 advantage in corner kicks.

Gonya was in the right place at the right time to receive the well-placed cross from Azira.

"I saw the ball coming and coach always tells us in practice to make good runs at the ball," Gonya said. "I made that good run and I got the reward."

It was a quiet game in goal for Blue Raider sophomore keeper Callum Christie. With the Cougars taking just three shots, Christie was limited to one save while the Lindsey Wilson defense made sure to give its offense the majority of the possessions.

A brief, but heavy rainstorm prior to kickoff slowed down the game, making for sloppy conditions that led to sometimes sloppy play. In all, seven cards were handed out.

"I'm not quite happy, because we need to work on our finishing and fitness," Gonya admitted. "I think we did well as far as giving ourselves a good result."

Lindsey Wilson head coach Ray Wells echoed the sentiment expressed by his sophomore forward.

"We won, we got the result and didn't give up a goal," Wells said. "We really looked good for about 20 minutes and then we weren't able to sustain it. In the last 20 minutes it was simply a lack of fitness.

"But everybody is in that situation this time of the year, so I'm very happy with the result."

Lindsey Wilson returns to action in its Mid-South Conference opener at 6 p.m. CT on Saturday, Aug. 28 at Pikeville (Ky.) College.

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