FAYETTE, Iowa - McKendree University women's soccer moved its season-opener unbeaten streak to eight with a 2-1 win over host Upper Iowa on Thursday night. The Bearcats were brought to victory by a stifling defense and scores from junior forwards
Destiny Johnson and
Anna Stiffler. The last loss in a season opening game for McKendree was 2014.
McKendree, a top GLVC program, came out early with two scores in the first 12 minutes of action in Iowa, as Johnson put a shot to the back of the net just under seven minutes into the match. Senior defender
Morgan Bova launched a free kick to the outer edge of the 18, which Johnson collected and fired past the Peacocks' keeper, which put the Bearcats up 1-0. Following the score by Johnson, McKendree put together a fast-paced attack up the field led by sophomore forward
Lena Higgins, who swiped a ball from Upper Iowa. After a tackle left possession between the teams, the ball was knocked into the UIU box, where Stiffler gathered and fired her first goal of the year and put McKendree up 2-0 over the host.
The Bearcats dominated offensive efforts with 15 shots total, including eight in the first 45, and six on frame while UIU put just four shots with all four on goal. The visiting Bearcats also applied ample pressure on the Upper Iowa defense as they earned six corner kicks on the night.
Senior keeper
Abby Tucker held the net for full time on day one in Iowa, collecting three saves on the day. Johnson and Stiffler led the shot effort with three each, while Higgins and junior midfielder
Reagan Mauch each fired two shots.
SCORING RECAP
7th Minute | Goal | #18 F
Destiny Johnson | Assisted by #14
Morgan Bova
12th Minute | Goal | #21 F
Anna Stiffler | Unassisted
UP NEXT
McKendree women's soccer will be back for a non-conference, neutral site matchup on Saturday, August 27 at 11 AM against Concordia St. Paul in Fayette, Iowa.
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