ST. CHARLES, Mo. – UIndy men's lacrosse clamped down on defense Saturday, earning a historic 9-4 victory against No. 5 Lindenwood on the road at Harlen C. Hunter Stadium.

The fifth-ranked Lions (7-3) are the highest-ranked team the Greyhounds (5-3) have defeated in their short history, one-upping a 9-7 decision against then-No. 6 Lake Erie last season.

It also marked UIndy's second straight win over a ranked Lindenwood squad, as the Hounds handed the 17th-ranked Lions an 8-3 loss inside Key Stadium almost exactly one year ago.

Saturday's showdown started as a defensive struggle, as both sides finished the opening 15 minutes in a scoreless tie. Sophomore keeper Jarod Kimble totaled five saves in the first quarter.

Lindenwood eventually broke the scoreless deadlock in the second period with two goals in quick succession. David Corazalla netted a goal near the nine-minute mark, and teammate Sam Heaton added a man-up score less than 30 seconds later to make it 2-0.

The Hounds answered with back-to-back goals of their own near the end of the second quarter.

Sophomore Tyler Johnston scored his first goal of the season with roughly three minutes left in the half, and freshman Parker Johnson found the back of the net just 20 seconds later on an assist by sophomore Matthew Johnson, evening things up at 2-2 heading to the break.

UIndy took the lead for good with a dominant third quarter, ultimately capping a 6-1 run to make it 6-3 heading to the fourth.

Johnston, Parker Johnson, and sophomores Parker Kump and Matthew Johnson all scored in the third, as Kump, freshman Austin Tracogna and sophomore Kevin Spurlock provided assists.

After more than seven scoreless minutes in the fourth, Johnston secured his third career hat trick – on just three shots – with an unassisted goal, making it 7-3.

Lindenwood added a goal less than a minute later, but two more goals from Parker Johnson down the stretch sealed the Hounds' huge victory. Both late goals came in man-up situations, off of assists from Kump and junior Sam Horning.

Parker Johnson's four goals marked a career high for the rookie from New Westminster, British Columbia.

Kump recorded four points, netting a goal and three assists to go along with a pair of ground balls.

Sophomore defender Max Gerhardt led UIndy with five ground balls, as junior Max Groves and sophomore Connor Swanger followed with four and three, respectively. The Hounds finished with 25 ground balls to Lindenwood's 22.

UIndy was also extremely careful with possession in Saturday's win, finishing with a program-record six turnovers – marking the first time the Hounds have ever finished with single-digit cough-ups – while going a perfect 17-for-17 on clear attempts.

Kimble finished with seven saves in-goal for the Hounds, headlining one of the best defensive efforts by UIndy as a team this season.

"Jarod made some key stops early for us, allowing our defense to settle into the game," Head Coach Greg Stocks said after the win. "We were able to apply pressure and force Lindenwood out of their offense, as well."

UIndy returns home for its next contest, hosting Walsh next Saturday at 1 p.m. in Key Stadium.