LEBANON, Ill. - McKendree University women's soccer heads out on the road for a pair of matchups in Missouri, beginning with William Jewell on October 1 and then at Truman State on October 3. The Bearcats enter the road trip with a two-game winning streak, beating Quincy on September 24 and Illinois Springfield on September 26 at Leemon Field.

McKendree goes on the road with only one loss this season at 5-1-2 and ranked fifth in the Midwest region (United Soccer Coaches). The sole loss of the year came against a nationally-ranked UIndy squad on Setember 19 in a home match. The Bearcats offense has been an effort throughout the roster with eight individuals netting at least one goal while nine individuals have recorded one-plus point. Senior midfielder Emma Knoebel leads in goals with three and sophomore midfielders Anna Stiffler, Reagan Mauch, and Katie Spotanski all have two goals through the fall so far. Stiffler is also the leader in assists with three and tied with Knoebel for the team lead with seven points. 

The Bearcats have outscored the opposing forces 13-8 in the eight matches played this season, out-shooting opponents 131 to 67 so far with 53 percent of shots ending on-frame. Knoebel and Stiffler have led the Bearcat attack but it has been far from a two-player effort. The offense has been throughout the lineup in the five wins and seven total unbeaten matches. Knoebel and Stiffler each own one Great Lakes Valley Conference weekly award on the year, as Stiffler won last weeks (9/27/21).

The net has been guarded through a team effort with both senior keeper Mercedes King and junior keeper Abby Tucker logging full matches. King made the start as goalkeeper for the season prior to an injury while Tucker took on the starting keeper role following. The two goalkeepers have recorded 21 saves with a 0.94 goals allowed average with King owning a 2-0-1 card and Tucker having a 3-1-1 record. 

William Jewell:
The Cardinals go into the weekend with an  0-7-1 record so far ths season, only having two goals scored in those eight matches. William Jewell dropped its mot recent matches to Maryville (9/26) and Lindenwood (9/24). The all-time series between the Cardinals and Bearcats sits in favor of McKendree at 10-0-2 with seven-straight wins to the Bearcats. Johnson and Liston mark the lone goal-scorers this year for William Jewell while Fronabarger and Kamies each own an assist. 

Truman State:
The Bulldogs open their two-game home stand and the weekend with a four-match unbeaten streak and at 3-2-2 overall. Truman State's offense has been led by Branson, who owns 11 points behind five goals and one assist, while Hickey and Douglass have five and four points. Truman most rcently owns wins over UMSL (9/24) and a full-time draw against Lindenwood (9/26). 

NOTES:
McKendree began another streak on 9/24, owning back-to-back wins on the season after the tough home loss to UIndy on 9/19. 

The Bearcats will look to nab their second win against Truman in the match, beating the Bulldogs last spring for their first ever win in the series.

Sophomore midfielder Anna Stiffler (O'Fallon, Missouri) earned GLVC Offensive Player of the Week on 9/27/21 after her outstanding performance last weekend. She had a hand in all three goals during the 2-0 weekend over Quincy and UIS. It was McKendree's second weekly award of the year. 

Senior keeper Mercedes King is back in the full swing of action after her early season injury and has logged full-time in the last two contests for McKendree, allowing one goal. 


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