LEBANON, Ill. - McKendree University women's soccer owns a four-match winning streak as it heads into the weekend at Leemon Field. The Bearcats host Southwest Baptist on Friday, October 8, and Rockhurst on Sunday, October 10, after they spent the last weekend of action on the road, going 2-0. 

McKendree's four-match streak dates back to its home match versus Quincy (9/24/21), where it won on a late goal from sophomore midfielder Anna Stiffler in the 89th minute. Since the 1-0 victory, the Bearcats collected wins over Illinois Springfield (2-1, 9/26/21), at William Jewell (3-2 OT, 10/1/21), and at Truman State (1-0, 10/3/21). In the four wins, the Bearcats have shown out offensively, owning their attacking half and keeping opposing defenses on their heels. The advantages include a 7 to 3 in scoring, 64 (36) to 22 (5) in shots and shots on-frame, and 31 to 7 on corner kicks. McKendree currently ranks second in league with a 5-1-1 Great Lakes Valley Conference record and an overall record of 7-1-2. Drury is the top team in the GLVC with a 6-0-0 GLVC record (8-1-0 overall).

The Bearcat attack over the winning streak has been headlinds by Stiffler, who has three goals and two assists in the four games and won back-to-back GLVC Offensive Player of the Week honors with her performances. In the four matches, five players have recorded a goal with seven total recording at least one point. Senior goalkeeper Mercedes King has held the net over the streak with 368 minutes in net and a 0.73 goals allowed average. 

On the year, 11 Bearcats have collected one or more points and nine of those have fired a goal through the first 10 games this fall. Stiffler is the leader in goals, assists, and points with four, three, and 11; also adding two game-winners on the season. Senior midfielder Emma Knoebel owns seven points behind three goals and one assist while sophomore midfielder Katie Spotanski has collected six points with three scores. 

SOUTHWEST BAPTIST:
The Bearcats of Southwest Baptist own an 2-5-1 (2-4-0) as they enter the weekend. SBU split its most recent outings, dropping a match to Maryville, 0-2, and beating Lindenwood, 2-1. Forward Raegan Edwards leads the SBU offense with two goals and four points overall while forward Maya Cofield ranks second with one goal, one assist, and three total points. The other SBU victory came against William Jewell on September 12, to open its GLVC season.

The all-time series is owned by McKendree at 2-0, with both meetings at SBU in Bolivar, Missouri. McKendree won the 2019 matchup, 1-0, and the spring 2021 contest, 3-2.

ROCKHURST:
The Hawks of Rockhurst  will enter the weekend with a 3-5-2 (2-2-2) record and are set to play Southern Indiana on Friday, October 8. Over the last two weekends, The Hawks has gone 1-1-2 in their endevaors, beating Maryville, playing to a draw against Missour S&T and UMSL, while they dropped the most recent match in overtime versus Lindenwood. Midfielder Gabby Hennessy leads the attack with five points on two goals and one assist, while fellow freshman midfielder Olivia Schwarzen has four points on two goals. 

Rockhurst owns the all-time series with McKendree, 6-5, but the Bearcats won the most recent matchup in March of 2021 in Kansas City, 4-0. 

NOTES:
McKendree owns a four-match winning streak as it enters the weekend, ourscoring its opponents 7-3 over the last two weekends.

Sophomore midfielder Anna Stiffler (O'Fallon, Missouri) added another GLVC Offensive Player of the Week award, her second and McKendree's third of the season, after her outstanding two-goal performance last weekend.

Senior midfielder Riley Ross (Sprinfield, Illinois) played hero for the Bearcats against Truman State, scoring her first goal of the year in the 74th minute. The goal was assisted on by freshman defender Kathleen Kenny (Wildwood, Missouri), which marked her first collegiate assist and point. 

Nine Bearcats have scored this season with 11 players recording at least one point. Stiffler leads with four goals (11 points), while Emma Knoebel (Maryville, Illinois) and Katie Spotanski (St. Peters, Missouri) both have scored three. Stiffler also leads with three assists while five others have one dish-out on the year.

Senior keeper Mercedes King (Troy, Illinois) returned from an early season injury against Quincy on September 24 and has earned four-straight victories. On the year, King owns a 0.81 goals allowed average with a 4-0-1 record. Junior keeper Abby Tucker (Wentzville, Missouri) filled the role well during King's absence with a 3-1-1 record and a 1.13 goals allowed average. 

UP NEXT:
McKendree hosts SBU on Friday, October 8 at 5 P.M. and Rockhurst on Sunday, October 10 at 12 P.M.

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