The Lions let a tight game slip through their fingers late in a 29-22 loss to Life University in Mid-South Conference action Saturday afternoon at Lupo Family Field in Marietta, Georgia.
 
As expected, physical play was the rule early as both forward packs left very little space to operate and punished any mistakes.  Halfback Richard Felton and flyhalf Andreas Livadaras kept pumping kicks into the Running Eagles half of the pitch, but their counterparts did the same. Life was able to score first on a penalty shot for a 3-0 lead. 
 
Lindenwood worked well in the open field, but set pieces let them down. Normally tough and tight, simple mistakes kept the backs from having much of a platform to attack.  One of the first times the Lions did, wing Cael Hodgson took advantage and slid in for a try.
 
Moments later, number eight Tinashe Muchena powered over for another score.  Livadaras converted both tries and Lindenwood was ahead 14-3. It looked like the Lions might be taking control of the contest, but another miscue on a lineout and some poor defense allowed Life to score a converted try right before the half, but Lindenwood still carried a 14-10 advantage into the break. 
 
The Lions started the second half with similar mistakes and the Running Eagles capitalized with a quick try to take the lead.  The next 20 minutes turned into a stalemate with more physical play, but no points until a poorly timed and executed Lindenwood kick to the middle of the field gave Life great position.  They quickly took advantage and scored again to increase the advantage.
 
The Lions started to find some footing from set piece late in the game and worked the phases on the Running Eagles try line. Forwards Emmanuel Albert and Liam Smith continued to be dominant physical forces and kept Lindenwood on the front foot. This led to the second try from Hodgson on a powerful run to tie the contest 22-22. 
 
With the game still in the balance, Lindenwood demonstrated some inconsistent play and gave up a converted score late.  Any chance at a Lions comeback was thwarted and they ended up on the short end of a 29-22 final. 
 
With the loss, Lindenwood dropped to 21-2 overall and to 4-1 in the Mid-South.  The Lions return to the pitch to host Illinois February 29.  The opening kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Saturday evening at Hunter Stadium in St. Charles, Missouri.  The second XV squads will battle prior to the game at 4 p.m. at the Lindenwood Track.