HUNTSVILLE, Ala. | Charger Park - McKendree University women's soccer (1-0-0) opened its 2024 campaign with a 1-0 victory on the road over Alabama Huntsville, opening a third-straight season with a victory. The Bearcats moved to 3-0-0 against the Chargers all-time behind the win while remaining unbeaten in season-opening contests for the 10th-straight season. McKendree was led to victory by a goal by senior forward Lena Higgins and a junior goalkeeper Maicy Mueller, who posted her first collegiate start, shutout, and win with the result over UAH. The Bearcats are back at Charger Park on Saturday for a neutral-site game against Montevallo at 2:30PM. 

McKendree and UAH battled throughout the first 45 minutes with the Chargers firing the first three shots of the game but to no avail. The two squads settled into their game plans in the latter end of the first half, leveling off with nine total shots. The Bearcats managed to fire four of those attempts, including one on-frame. Mueller nabbed two saves for McKendree in the first 45 minutes of action, as the game was her first collegiate start. 

The second half saw an aggressive start for both teams with on-frame shots for each squad in the first three minutes with McKendree's on-goal attempt finding the back of the net. Higgins fired the first goal of the campaign for the Bearcats, which proved to be the game-winner. The senior forward fired the score with assists going to senior forward Anna Stiffler and senior midfielder Katie Spotanski. 

The net was held in full time by junior keeper Maicy Mueller (1-0-0), who recorded six saves while facing 15 shots in total. It was her first collegiate playing time, start, win, and shutout. 

Eight Bearcats fired shots on the day with Stiffler leading at four, Higgins firing three, and sophomore midfielder Maggie Gleckler and freshman defender Perry Rogan each tallying two. McKendree out-shot UAH 15-13 while putting six on-frame, and earning two corner kicks.