Friday September 2, 2 p.m.
Union University (0-0) at
McKendree University (0-0)
Leemon Field - Lebanon, Ill.
Live Stats         Live Video
 
Sunday, September 4, 12 p.m.
Oakland City University (0-0) at
McKendree University (0-0)
Leemon Field – Lebanon, IL
 
Live Stats         Live Video
 
(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 2) – The McKendree University women's soccer team will kick-off its 2016 season with two home contests. The Bearcats will host Union University (Tenn.) Friday at 2 p.m., followed by a vist from Oakland City University on Sunday at Noon.

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS: Union University will make its first trip to Lebanon on Friday for its season opener. The Bulldogs were 4-13-1 last season and are projected to finish ninth in the Gulf South Conference in 2016. The Bulldogs return their second-leading goal scorer Kelsey Wilkes as well as their top goal keeper Kristen Francis, who posted a 4-8-1 record last season. Along with seven returning starters the Bulldogs add a pair of top newcomers to the roster. Union's Brooke Watson and Addyson Dunn were named to the 2016 Top Newcomers to the GSC, as nominated by the league's head coaches.

Last meeting:  The Bearcats and the Bulldogs met last year during non-conference play on September 7 in Jackson, Tenn. McKendree picked up their first win of the 2015 season after a 2-0 victory on the road. Despite being outshot 15-13, McKendree found goals from Alyssa Reiniger (Maryville, IL/Collinsville) and Claire Skaggs (Saint Charles, MO/Duchesne).
 
SCOUTING THE MIGHTY OAKS:  On Sunday the Mighty Oaks will take on the Bearcats for the first time in program history. Oakland City posted a 5-10 record during the 2015 season. The Mighty Oaks return junior Lauren Rapp will look to lead the Mighty Oak offensively after the loss of their top two goal scorers Allie Schechner and Christina Haag.

Last meeting: Sunday's matchup will be the first meeting between McKendree and Oakland City

GLVC PRESEASON POLL: McKendree was picked to finish in ninth place in the GLVC for the 2016 season. McKendree is coming off its most successful season in the GLVC. Last season, the Bearcats went 8-8-2 overall while posting a 7-6-2 mark against conference opponents. The Bearcats made it into the GLVC Tournament, falling short in the first round to Bellarmine by one-goal in double overtime.

GOAL SETTING: McKendree returns three of its top four goal scorers from last season. Sophomore Sydnee Carrol returns after scoring a team-high seven goals, while junior Chelsea Whittaker (Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand/St Hilda's Collegiate School) and senior Danielle Hareb (Flatbush, New Zealand/Mount Albert) both netted four during the 2015 campaign.

HEAD COACH TIM STRANGE: McKendree head coach Tim Strange is entering his 18th season as head coach for the women's soccer team at McKendree. Strange enters the season with a record of 228-83-29 and is the winningest coach in school history.