COLUMBIA, Ky. – The Lindsey Wilson men's soccer team (2-1-1, 1-0 MSC) opened conference play Tuesday night completing a 3-2 win over Shawnee State (Ohio) (3-2-1, 0-1 MSC) late in the second half.

With the score tied at 2-2, Alexander Koziolek found the run of Monwabisi Mngqibisa who sprinted down the field behind the Shawnee State defense. The freshman forward was then brought down in the box, winning a penalty in the process with a minute remaining in the second half. Koziolek stepped up to slot the penalty home, scoring his second of the game leading Lindsey Wilson to a 3-2 win.

The Blue Raiders outshot the Bears 21-5 in the match with a 6-2 shot on goal mark. Koziolek finished the game with two goals both from the penalty spot with Lindsey Wilson's opening goal coming from a defensive mistake by Shawnee State.

The first half got off to a fast start as Nathaniel Onyina Opoku got a quick shot on goal forcing the Bears keeper, Bas Markus, into an early save. Minutes later Opoku got another opportunity, this time a cross from David Ibrahimkadic that Opoku flicked towards goal and off the Shawnee State defender for the own goal and 1-0 Blue Raider lead.

Minutes later, Lindsey Wilson were awarded a penalty after a handball in the box off a Shawnee State defender. Koziolek took the penalty, placing the ball away into the left side of the goal for his first goal of the night.

The Blue Raiders were cruising with a 2-0 lead before Kevin De Lange and the Bears got back into the game scoring two quick back-to-back goals in the last five minutes of the first half to tie the match at 2-2.

The second half was a tough one as both teams were fighting for possession of the ball to find the match-winner. A total of five yellow cards were handed out in the second half with three of them coming in the final twenty minutes of the match. It wasn't until the final minute of the match where Mngqibisa was fouled in the box winning a penalty that Koziolek put away to win 3-2.

The Blue Raiders will remain at home for their next match against Pikeville (Ky.) on Friday, Sept. 24th. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT.