(Lebanon, Ill., Oct. 21) – The McKendree University women's soccer team erased a two-goal second half deficit Tuesday night to defeat Missouri Baptist University 4-2. The win over the Spartans clinched the Bearcats sixth-straight regular season American Midwest Conference championship.

No. 17 McKendree, now 13-0-1 overall and 8-0 in the AMC will host Harris-Stowe State University on October 24^th at 7 p.m.

The Spartans struck first in the matchup on an unassisted goal by Sarah O'Donnell in the 12^th minute for the only first half goal of the contest. Missouri Baptist's Taylor Hay took a pass from Amy Kelly in the 53^rd minute to put the Spartans up 2-0 and in position to deal the Bearcats their first loss of the season.

After struggling to bust through the Missouri Baptist defense for the majority of the contest, McKendree came alive with just over 21 minutes to play when junior midfielder Sarah Ryan (Rochester, Ill./Rochester) (Rochester, Ill./Rochester) scored off a free kick from freshman back Chrissy Ghirardi (O'Fallon, Mo./Ft. Zumwalt South) (O'Fallon, Mo./Ft. Zumwalt South) to make the score 2-1. A minute later, sophomore midfielder Ilana Milkez (Bogota, Colombia/Lycee Francais) (Bogota, Colombia) scored on a free kick to tie the game 2-2. Things appeared to be headed for overtime until a corner kick in the 79^th minute by sophomore back Theresa Kaiser (St. Louis, Mo./Ursuline Academy) (St. Louis, Mo./Ursuline) was put into the net by junior midfielder Katelyn Cleveland (Collinsville, Ill./Collinsville) (Collinsville, Ill./Collinsville) to put McKendree up 3-2. A goal by freshman midfielder Sulyn Keomanivane (Granite City, Ill./Granite City) (Granite City, Ill./Granite City) on an assist by Ryan in the 80^th minute secured the comeback win for McKendree

Sophomore goalkeeper Liz Yanko (St. Louis, Mo./Rosati-Kain) (St. Louis, Mo./Rosati-Kain) improved to 13-0-1 on the season after playing 90 minutes and pulling in six saves.

McKENDREE UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S SOCCER RESULT
Missouri Baptist University at No. 17 McKendree University
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
 
Team                           1          2          F
Missouri Baptist            1          1          2

#17 McKendree            0          4          4

McKendree Goals –

Sarah Ryan (Rochester, Ill./Rochester), Ilana Milkez (Bogota, Colombia/Lycee Francais), Katelyn Cleveland (Collinsville, Ill./Collinsville), Sulyn Keomanivane (Granite City, Ill./Granite City)

Missouri Baptist Goals—

Sarah O'Donnell, Taylor Hay

Goalkeepers –
McKENDREE:   Liz Yanko (St. Louis, Mo./Rosati-Kain), 90 minutes, 6 saves

Missouri Baptist:Kekua Lupton, 90 minutes, 10 saves

No. 17 McKendree is 13-0-1 overall (8-0 AMC),  Missouri Baptist is 9-4-1 overall (5-2 AMC)

-McK-