LEBANON, Ill. - 12th-ranked McKendree University women's soccer (10-0-3, 6-0-2 GLVC) hosts three-straight games at home, beginning with matchups against Missouri S&T (2-5-4, 2-4-2) and Drury (5-1-6, 2-1-6) at Leemon Field on October 14 and 16. The Bearcats remained in the rankings, holding stready at No.12 (
USC Poll), while also sitting at the sole unbeaten team in the region. McKendree enters the weekend with a 13-game unbeaten streak and will kick off against Missouri S&T on Friday evening at 5 PM before hosting the Panthers on Sunday at 12 PM.
THIS SEASON
The Bearcats have an impressive run to begin the season, opening the year with a four-game win streak before drawing with Missouri S&T in a non-conference matchup to end its non-conference slate. McKendree's offense has been a force with nearly two goals per game while its defense has proven to be a wall, allowing just five scores total (0.38 per game). Junior forward
Anna Stiffler leads the team and league offensively, firing nine goals this fall, scoring in five of the last six contests. Stiffler owns 19 points, which also leads the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Behind Stiffler is a flurry of scorers with fellow junior forward
Destiny Johnson and senior midfielders
Allison Frederking and
Elizabeth Goldstein, who all own three goals each. Johnson has also dished-out three assists on the year. Sophomore forward
Lena Higgins is the final Bearcat with multiple goals, as she owns two game-winners. Four other individuals have scored for McKendree as well. Overall, 16 Bearcats have collected at least one point via goal or assist with nine scorers and 11 individuals with one-plus assist.
The McKendree goal has been held by senior keeper
Abby Tucker in near full-time over the fall season, as she has logged over 1130 minutes in the net over 13 starts. Tucker, who won GLVC Defensive Player of the Week on September 26, owns a goals allowed average of 0.40 with 28 saves, a save percentage of 0.848, and eight shutouts.
McKendree remained 12th in the
national poll this week but moved up in the United Soccer Coaches national poll in prior weeks, moving to No.12 in the September 27 poll (
Poll). The Bearcats entered the ranks on September 3 at 16th nationally before moving up to 15th, 14th, and now 12th. In the Midwest Region, McKendree sits second behind reigning National Champion, Grand Valley State.
PREVIEW vs Missouri S&T (2-5-4, 2-4-2 GLVC)
All-Time Series: 8-3-2, McK | Streak: T1
The Miners enter the weekend and come to Leemon Field on a four-game unbeaten streak, beating UMSL and drawing Drury last weekend. S&T is led by Ally Hasken, who has fired three goals for six points while Sydney Gratz sits narrwoly behind her teammate with two goals and one assist for five points. The net for the Miners has been held by Viktoria Johnson, who owns a goals allowed average of 1.66 over her 11 games played with 40 saves.
The Bearcats and Miners played to a 1-1 draw on September 9 in Rolla, Missouri, during a non-conference battle.
PREVIEW vs Drury (5-1-6, 2-1-6 GLVC)
All-Time Series: 5-4-2, McK | Streak: T1
The Panthers begin their weekend at Indianapolis and enter the road weekend on a three-game unbeaten streak, drawing against UMSL, Maryville, and Missouri S&T. The Drury defensive line has been impressive with just four goals allowed this season while scoring 13. Tara Simon leads the offensive efforts with eight points on four goals while Elsa Gonzalez sits with five points behind two goals and one assist. Kaitllin Knetzke has held full-time in goal for the Panthers on the year, holding a 0.918 save percentage, 45 saves, and a goals allowed average of 0.33 over 12 contests.
The last time out between these programs played to a 1-1 tie on October 17, 2021 in Springfield, Missouri.
LINKS
GLVC Team Standings
McKendree, 1st - 20 Points
GLVC Statistical Leaders
United Soccer Coaches National Poll
McKendree, 12th
WEEKEND SLATE
Friday, Oct. 14 | 5:00 PM | vs. Missouri S&T | Leemon Field | Lebanon, Ill. |
Watch /
Live Stats
Sunday, Oct. 16 | 12:00 PM | vs. Drury | Leemon Field | Lebanon, Ill. |
Watch /
Live Stats
