ST. LOUIS, Mo. - McKendree University women's soccer (6-1-4, 6-1-1 GLVC) dropped its first contest of the 2025 campaign on Friday evening as the Bearcats narrowly fell against the Tritons on the road, 1-0. With the loss, McKendree's six-game win streak and 10-game unbeaten stretch to open the year were both ended. McKendree looks to get back on track on Sunday, October 12, with a road battle at Maryville across the metro in Chesterfield, Missouri at 12:00PM. 

McKendree entered Friday atop the Great Lakes Valley Conference and looked to build on their lead over the league, battling in a tough road contest but found themselves in a deficit in the 19th minute. The Bearcarts fired just three shots in the first half with one on-frame, going into halftime down 1-0.

McKendree fought back in the second half with nine shots while earning five corner kicks, driving into the Tritons' defensive third repeatedly to threaten the UMSL back line. Sophomore forward Maddie Mauch led the effort with three shots while junior midfielder Maggie Gleckler, junior defender Zoe Cormier, and junior forward Ella Post each fired two shots in the game. Junior goalkeeper Peyton Baker amassed five saves during full time in net for the Bearcats. 

McKendree heads into Sunday tied for the top spot in the GLVC with 19 points at 6-1-1, looking to make a splash against rival Maryville and maintain its lead in the conference overall while heading into their bye day on October 17 before heading up to UIS on October 19.