LEBANON, Ill. - McKendree University men's soccer plays host at Leemon Field this weekend with Quincy and Illinois Springfield both coming to campus. McKendree will match up with Quincy on Friday, September 24 and then play Illinois Springfield on September 26. 

McKendree opens the weekend with a 1-2-2 record after it dropped the September 19 match to current-No. 1 UIndy at Leemon Field, 2-5. Against Quincy, the Bearcats hold a 2-9-2 record and lost last season's contest with the Hawks but will push to regain control of the series beginning Friday. Versus the Prairie Stars, McKendree owns a favorable 9-5-2 all-time record and currently holds an unbeaten streak of three matches dating back to 2018. 

The McKendree attacking side features senior forward James Stone as the leading scorer, who has netted four goals this season (eight total points) with one game-winner. Stone fired in the first score for the Bearcats against the Greyhounds behind a precision pass from freshman midfielder Philipp Schmidt. Schmidt is second on the Bearcats in points this season with one goal and two assists, his first collegiate goal came against Ashland (9/3/2021). Senior midfielder Eddie Davis owns three points this season with one goal and one assist. The net has been under the guard of keeper Alvaro Cortazar over the five matches played so far. Cortazar owns a 1.77 goals allowed average with 26 saves in 510 minutes of action.

Quincy: 
The Hawks' offense has featured two players through the first six games of the season in Cole Hayes and Jack Rhead. Hayes and Rhead both have collected three goals in the fall so far and each has dished out one assist for seven points each. Rhead and Hayes are two of six individuals who have netted a goal for Quincy this season while 10 players have recorded an assist. Chapman and Swanner have facilitated the attack as Chapman has three assists and Swanner has dished out two.  Quincy's goalkeeping has been split between Barletta and Kalaitzis over six matches with Barletta recording 372 minutes and Kalaitzis recording 169 minutes of action. The two have a goals allowed average of 2.00 and 14 combined saves. 

Illinois Springfield:
The Prairie Stars are off to a hot start in the GLVC with a 3-0 conference record, beating nationally-ranked Maryville, UMSL, and Lindenwood so far. The lead for UIS has been Lars Brinkman, who owns three goals (six total points) and Conal Gallagher with two goals and an assist. Overall, eight Prairie Stars players have recorded a goal  while five different individuals have at least one assist, the assist lead is held by Rory Carlson and Drew Keller as both have two dish-outs. One keeper has been in control of the net so far for the Stars, Pijus Petvicius. Petvicius owns a 3-2 record with 23 saves and a 1.29 goals allowed average. 

NOTES:
McKendree will look to take back the advantage in the series with the Hawks as Quincy won the sole matchup from the spring of 2021 season. 

The Bearcats unbeaten streak of three straight matches against Illinois Springfield will be tested on Sunday, as the Prairie Stars are off to a hot start. 

Senior forward James Stone (Eastbourne, England) leads the Bearcats attack with eight points behind the power of four goals through five games.

Sophomore midfielder Fetiol Hyke (Pogradec, Albania) scored his first collegiate goal against current-No. 1 UIndy (9/19).

Freshman midfielder Philipp Schmidt (Heidelberg, Germany) added his first collegiate goal against Ashland (9/3) and dished out two assists so far this season. His second assist came in the UIndy match during McKendree first goal via James Stone.

WEEKEND MATCHES:
Friday, September 24 | 7:30 P.M. | vs.Quincy | Lebanon, Ill. - Leemon Field
Sunday, September 26 | 2:30 P.M. | vs. UIS | Lebanon, Ill. - Leemon Field
_______________________________________________________
For more updates and information, please continue to visit McKBearcats.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

#BearcatsUnleashed