LEBANON, Ill. - McKendree University women's soccer, the 22nd-ranked team in the nation, beings its Great Lakes Valley Conference slate on Sunday with a matchup against the conference runner-up, Southern Indiana. The last time these two met was in the GLVC Tournament title game in April, which the Bearcats won 5-2.

The Bearcats are fresh off of a shutout win over Kentucky Wesleyan (GMAC) on September 8 in Owensboro, a match which featured two goals and an offensive bombardment by McKendree. The Bearcats' offensive ability was on full display in the 90 minutes of action with the Panthers with the firing of 32 shots, 16 of which were on-frame. McKendree dominated the ball overall with a possession advantage of 56 percent to 44 percent and 12-0 on corner kicks over the Panthers. The two goals were scored by senior midfielder Emma Knoebel and sophomore midfielder Reagan Mauch. Knoebel's second goal of the year was earned through another penalty kick and earned the game-winner status, it put the Bearcats up 1-0. 

In the opening conference match, McKendree will look to nab its third-straight win of the year and third straight win over Southern Indiana. The last matchup between these two was a 5-2 drubbing by the Bearcats in the title bout (4/25/21); the match featured a two-goal game from both Emma Knoebel and Anna Stiffler while Riley Ross knocked in one. Knoebel served as the go-to for penalty kicks in the match, as both of her goals in the title game came via PKs; she also recorded one assist in that contest. The last time McKendree suffered a loss to the Screaming Eagles was in 2019 in the finals of the GLVC Tournament, when USI won 4-3 via penalty kicks after two periods of overtime. Prior to the loss in the 2019 GLVC Tournament championship, the Bearcats had won six-straight over the Eagles.

This season, Southern Indiana owns a 2-0-1 record, beating Trevecca Nazarene and Walsh, while they tied Cedarville. The Screaming Eagles have scored three times (two versus TNU and one against Walsh) and average nearly 18 shots per game. The three goals for USI are spread between three individuals; sophomore forward Beyer, sophomore midfielder DiTusa, and freshman forward Frommelt.

Sunday's match will take place in Evansville, Indiana at Strassweg Field on the campus of Southern Indiana at 2:30 P.M.

NOTES:
Dating back to 2006, the Bearcats own a 9-2-2 record over the Screaming Eagles.

McKendree owns a six-match unbeaten streak heading into this season's first GLVC match; the streak dates back to last season. 

Six players have recorded at least one point while five players have knocked in a goal for McKendree; senior Emma Knoebel (2 goals, 1 assist), sophomore Anna Stiffler (1 goals, 1 assist), junior Morgan Bova (1 goal), junior Alli Frederking (1 goal), sophomore Reagan Mauch (1 goal), and freshman Gillian Nicholson (1 assist). 

Senior midfielder Emma Knoebel leads the Bearcats with five points on the year behind two goals and one assist. Both of the senior midfielder's goals are from penalty kicks and earned game-winner status (vs. Missouri S&T, @ KWC). She has fired eight shots with two on-frame. 

Sophomore midfielder Anna Stiffler owns three points on the year with one goal and one assist. Stiffler has sent four shots at the opposition with three being on goal. 

The net has been dutifully protected by two Bearcats this season with both Mercedes King and Abby Tucker recording time so far. The combo has a goals allowed average of 0.92 and have laid out for 11 saves so far. 

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