LEBANON, Ill. - McKendree University women's soccer enters the 2021 fall campaign ranked fourth in the nation and was picked as the preseason-favorite in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC). The Bearcats take on Ashland in Westfield, Indiana at Grand Park Sports Campus to open their regular season. 

McKendree looks to build upon an unconventional yet extremely successful spring season as the Bearcats won both the GLVC regular season championship and the GLVC Tournament title. The 5-2 championship game victory over Southern Indiana marked their first conference title since 2017. "It puts a target on our back," said Bearcats' head coach Tim Strange "but we always look forward to a challenge." The Bearcats ranked highly in preseason polls including fourth in the national United Soccer Coaches' preseason poll as well as the taking the top spot in the GLVC preseason poll.

The 2020-21 spring season featured 14 wins with the Bearcats going 7-1 at home and 5-1 on the road and 2-0 in neutral site matches. McKendree and Strange return a number of players from the championship roster, including four of five All-GLVC honorees and 10 of 11 starters while they added several newcomers to McKendree (2025 class). "It's always great to have experience back, especially coming off a season like this past spring. We bring in a class that should make a big impact as they all play at a high-level," Strange said. The returners for McKendree are highlighted by the four All-GLVC players, including co-freshman of the year and second team forward Anna Stiffler, All-GLVC team members midfielder Emma Knoebel (first team), defender Danielle Knutson (first team), goalkeeper Mercedes King (second team), and defender Morgan Bova (third team). 

Stiffler, a product of St. Dominic High (O'Fallon, Missouri), led the Bearcats in goals during the year with eight while she also dished out three assists. The sophomore also was tied as the team leader in total points with 19 while Knoebel collected 19 points on seven goals and five assists. On the flip side, Strange and the Bearcats lose their third-leading goal-scorer Alynnah O'Leary, who also earned All-GLVC second team behind her three goals and four assists. Offensively, McKendree's firepower returns to prominence and the story similar on the defensive half of the pitch. The Bearcats' goalkeepers returned in full form, with senior Mercedes King and junior Abby Tucker returning. King and Tucker logged full minutes for the Bearcats and only allowed 10 goals over 17 games (0.57 goals allowed average). King, a native of Troy, Illinois, started 11 contests and recorded more than 940 minutes, allowing only five goals and saving 20. Tucker (Wentzville, Missouri) started in the net six times last season, allowing five goals and saving 30 for a goals allowed average of 0.69. 

Within the newcomers for McKendree, Strange stated, "we look for our newcomers to challenge and push our experienced players...we are always looking to put those who can make us better on the field, whether you are a freshman or senior." 

The matchup for McKendree are the Eagles of Ashland University, who finished 8-2-1 in the spring 2021 season. "We played Ashland in 2018 during the NCAA tournament, they were a tough team and played better that day but we left with the win. It will be a test to start our season but it will prepare us for the tougher stretches of the year," said Strange. The Bearcats kick off the season with the neutral site contest, then return home for a non-conference game against Missouri S&T on Sunday, September 5 at Leemon Field. McKendree will wrap up their non-conference schedule on September 8 against Kentucky Wesleyan in Owensboro, Kentucky. GLVC play will start a week after in Evansville, Indiana at Strassweg Field against the GLVC tournament runner-up and 2019 GLVC champion, Southern Indiana.

"I know the players are ready to compete and are excited for the challenge that lies ahead. The top goal is, as always, be ready to compete when the playoffs come," said Strange. 


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