LEBANON, Ill. - McKendree University women's soccer opened up Leemon Field with an offensive performance, scoring three goals to beat GLVC-foe Missouri S&T in a non-conference matchup. The Bearcats were taken to overtime but seized an opportunity in the 95th minute to take the win and improve to 1-0-1.

McKendree extended its win streak over the rivaling Miners to six games with its OT win on Sunday afternoon. The Bearcats came out of the gate with an aggressive offensive attack, controlling the midfield and overall possession in the first half. Of the eight shots at the opposing defense in the first 45 minute period, five were on target while two found their way into the back of the net. the first goal of the match was scored by All-GLVC sophomore Anna Stiffler. The strike was in the 19th minute to put the Bearcats up 1-0 and was assisted on by senior midfielder Emma Knoebel, the eventual hero of the match. The shot that found the back of the net was the sole strike by Stiffler for the match. The McKendree lead was extended only a few minutes later by fellow sophomore Morgan Bova, the goal (26') followed a corner for the Bearcats. The defender Bova fired away at the opposing keeper, sending the shot into an unreachable portion of the net and pushed the hosting-Bearcats lead to 2-0. For the remainder of the half, McKendree rotated the ball around and looked for openings to push the lead but lessened its attacking force. 

At the half, McKendree led the way 2-0, out-shooting the Miners 8-0 and possessing the advantage in the majority of categories. 

The second half featured a hyper-aggressive offense from the Miners and the bearcats struggled to keep hold of its opposition. Missouri S&T scored in the 53rd minute via a booming free kick from just beyond the 18 yard box, which cut the lead in half. In turn, McKendree pushed its offense back into its initial aggressive nature and held the ball in the attacking side for the next few minutes. Missouri S&T had a valuable opportunity thwarted by a two-pronged effort by Bearcats' goalkeeper Mercedes King and senior defender Danielle Knutson, who knocked the ball away for King to scoop up, ending the near-free run to the goal. 

Late in the second half, with only 13 minutes remaining, the Miners pushed into the McKendree defense which resulted in a rough collision between an S&T forward and the Bearcats goalkeeper King. King had to be helped off the field, junior goalkeeper Abby Tucker took her place. Tucker held the line well  but through an unfriendly series and a bounce, the Miners tied the game up at two each in the 88th minute. 

In overtime, McKendree found another offensive stride, pushing through the Miners' defending lines to hold the ball in the attacking half. Via a red card in the box on Missouri S&T, McKendree was awarded a penalty kick, which was to be taken by the senior midfielder Knoebel. Knoebel confidently stepped up to put the ball past the opposing keeper, winning the match for the Bearcats. 

NOTES:
McKendree added another win to its streak against the Miners of Missouri S&T, it now sits at six straight wins and an unbeaten streak of seven for the Bearcats.

The Bearcats out-shot their opponent 16-10 and also earned more corners to gain the advantage in the attacking half. Additionally, McKendree owned the ball in the match with a possession advantage of 56 percent to 44 percent.

Three more Bearcats collected their first goal of the season; Anna Stiffler (19'), Morgan Bova (26'), and Emma Knoebel (95' - PK). Four players have now scored for the Bearcats this season and two have also dished out an assist. 

The overall unbeaten streak for the Bearcats now sits at six, dating back to last season. 

UP NEXT:
McKendree women's soccer will hit the road for its final non-conference game of the regular season, heading to Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, Kentucky on September 8. Following the final non-conference game, the Bearcats will begin GLVC-play on September 12 in Evansville (Strassweg Field) against the GLVC runner-up, Southern Indiana.

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