LEBANON, Ill. - McKendree University men's soccer seeks a fourth-straight victory heading into the weekend as it plays host to Southwest Baptist and Rockhurst in this home slate. During the win streak, McKendree has out-scored its opponents 10 to 5 and out-shot its opposition 57(31) to 50(23) and also earned more corners in the process, 26-21.

McKendree has won its last three games and owns an unbeaten streak in the last four, dating back to September 24 when the Bearcats played Quincy to a draw in double-overtime. The Bearcats then went on to beat Illinois Springfield (1-0, 9/26/2021), William Jewell (5-2, 10/1/2021), and Truman State (2-1 2OT, 10/3/2021). The Bearcats, with a 4-2-1 Great Lakes Valley Conference record (4-2-3 overall), currently sit tied for third in the league. The attack during the four-game unbeaten streak has been led by senior forwards James Stone and Gonzalo Correa, who have combined for five goals and one assist (Stone three goals; Correa two goals and one assist). Both of the senior forwards fired one game-winner during the streak as well. Seven Bearcats recorded a goal in the four games, while 12 collected at least one point in the streak.

Senior midfielder Eddie Davis dished out three assists in the last four games and leads the Bearcats in assists with four overall Davis also has one goal for a total of six points this fall. His four assists rank tied-for-fourth in the league while his assists per game (0.44) rank tied-for-sixth. Freshman midfielder Philipp Schmidt, who ranks second on McKendree in assists, ranks tied-for-eighth in total assists (3) and ninth in assists per game (0.33).  Stone tops the league in both goals with seven and points with 14 (t-1st) while ranking third in points per game (1.56). In the net, senior keeper Alvaro Cortazar has logged full time (908:50) with a goals allowed average of 1.49 so far. Cortazar, in the GLVC, is tied for second in total saves (44), third in saves per game (4.89), and sixth in save percentage (.746). 

SOUTHWEST BAPTIST:
The Bearcats of SBU will enter the weekend with a record of 0-8-0 (0-6-0), most recently dropping matches to Maryville and Lindenwood. SBU has three goal-scorers on the fall season with sophomore Pierre Lurot, junior Jose Mencos, and freshman Gauthier Vareilles,each recording one this season. Southwest Baptist has struggled to get offense going as the Bearcats have only recorded one goal in GLVC play. 

The all-time series is owned by McKendree at 2-1 with all three games on the road at SBU. SBU won the latest matchup, in March of 2021, winning 2-1 over McKendree.

ROCKHURST:
The Hawks of Rockhurst enter their weekend with a 4-5-1 overall record and a 3-2-1 GLVC slate so far. Rockhurst went 0-1-1 in the last weekend, dropping a match with Lindenwood and playing to a draw with UMSL. The Hawks take on Southern Indiana on Friday prior to coming to Leemon Field. The Hawks' offense has been led by junior Chase Klusman, who has recorded three goals while Jordan Andrews, Jacopo Belardo, and Elluan Martins Gomes all have two goals this fall. 

The Hawks own the series over the Bearcats all-time with a 6-2-1 advantage. The tide has somewhat shifted recently with McKendree winning the bout in 2019, 3-0, and playing to a draw in the spring 2021 matchup. 

NOTES:
McKendree has played well recetnly with a three-game winning streak and a four-match unbeaten streak. The Bearcats have out-scored (10-5), out-shot (57/31 - 50/23), and earned more corners than its oppopsition (26-21) in the streak.

The Bearcats, over the last four games, have had 12 point-scorers with seven firing at least one goal. Stone leads in goals with three in four games while Davis dished out three assists in those games. 

Senior forward James Stone (Eastbourne, Enlgand) leads the Bearcats and the league in goals (seven) and points (14 - t-1st, GLVC). He scored three in the four-game unbeaten streak with one game-winner. 

Senior forward Gonzalo Correa (Santiago, Chile) has been equally imposing on offense for the Bearcats as he has collected two goals and one assist in the four-match streak, with one goal earning game-winner status. 

Senior midfielder Eddie Davis (Arundel, England) took the role of facilitator during the four matches, dishing out three assists. He now owns four on the season plus one goal. 

UP NEXT:
McKendree hosts SBU on Friday, October 8 at 7:30 P.M. and Rockhurst on Sunday, October 10 at 2:30 P.M.

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