(MILWAUKEE, Wis., Aug. 31)—The McKendree University women’s soccer team kicked off its 2007 season Friday evening with a 4-0 victory against host Cardinal Stritch University in the first round of the Cardinal Stritch Labor Day Classic.

 

Four different players scored as the Bearcats won their season-opening game for the third year in a row. McKendree, the No. 8 team in the NAIA pre-season poll, will return to action Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Labor Day Classic against No. 14-ranked Trinity International University.

 

Against Cardinal Stritch, McKendree took a 1-0 lead into the half thanks to a goal by freshman midfielder Theresa Kaiser (St. Louis, Mo./Ursuline Academy) (St. Louis, Mo./Ursuline Academy). Senior back Nicole Chappell (Highland, Ill./Triad) (Highland, Ill./Triad) assisted on the goal.

 

The Bearcats then took control in the second half with three more goals. Sophomore midfielder Sarah Ryan (Rochester, Ill./Rochester) (Rochester, Ill./Rochester) scored off a pass from senior forward Lucy Elliott (Southampton, England/Taunton's) (Southampton, England/Tauntons) to give McKendree a 2-0 advantge. Freshman midfielder Ilana Milkez (Bogota, Colombia/Lycee Francais) (Bogota, Colombia) followed with her first collegiate goal with an assist from senior midfielder Brittany Fuzessery (Granite City, Ill./Granite City) (Granite City, Ill./Granite City).

 

Junior forward Jenni Schoon (Morton, Ill./Morton) (Morton, Ill./Morton) wrapped up the scoring for the Bearcats, with the assist going to Milkez.

 

Freshman Liz Yanko (St. Louis, Mo./Rosati-Kain) (St. Louis, Mo./Rosati-Kain) and junior Amanda LaGrow (Morton, Ill./Morton) (Morton, Ill./Morton) each saw action in goal for McKendree, with Yanko making one save in the first 60 minutes to earn the win. LaGrow made one save over the final 30 minutes against Cardinal Stritch.

 

 

McKendree                     1          3          4

Cardinal Stritch              0          0          0

 

McKendree goals –

Theresa Kaiser (St. Louis, Mo./Ursuline Academy), Sarah Ryan (Rochester, Ill./Rochester), Ilana Milkez (Bogota, Colombia/Lycee Francais), Jenni Schoon (Morton, Ill./Morton)

 

Goalkeepers –

McKENDREE:   Liz Yanko (St. Louis, Mo./Rosati-Kain), 60 minutes played, 1 save

                            Amanda LaGrow (Morton, Ill./Morton), 30 minutes played, 1 save

CARDINAL STRITCH:     Amy Weaver, 9 saves

 

McKendree is 1-0 on the season, Cardinal Stritch is 0-1 overall