Box Score SAGINAW, Mich. | Braddock Field - McKendree University women's soccer (1-0-0, 0-0 GLVC) kicked off its season on Thursday with a tough road matchup against Saginaw Valley State, going down early but fighting back to take down the Cardinals, 2-1 in full time. The Bearcats and Cardinals tied last year in the programs' first ever matchup, 1-1, at Leemon Field and McKendree returned the trip but took the matchup lead at 1-0-1. McKendree began a 12th-straight campaign with either a victory or draw result, dating back to 2015, booking a 9-0-3 mark during the streak. The Bearcats get to open Leemon Field for McKendree with the first regular season competition of the 2026-27 year when they host Union (Tenn.) on Sunday, August 30 at 3:00PM. 

The Bearcats headed up to Michigan to return a trip by Saginaw from 2025, and SVSU tried to hold its home turf but to no avail. The Cardinals struck first with a goal in the third minute after hounding the Bearcats, floating one in over the keeper's reach to lead 1-0. The home squad's lead held over McKendree for a length but in the 23rd minute, after a flurry of action in the box, a low cross found the feet of graduate midfielder Macie Begley, who collected and fired her first goal as a Bearcat to knot the game at 1-1. The low cross came via sophomore defender Addie Gagen, who was credited the assist on the equalizer. McKendree and SVSU entered the intermission stretch at 1-1 with shots (6-5) and corners (5-4) leaning in favor of the Bearcats. 

The second half saw an aggressive attack from SVSU, as the Cardinals tallied eight corners with six shots but the defense held true, allowing no further action in net. In the 79th minute, a forward push got a McKendree long ball into the box and senior forward Aubrey Andrews was fouled in the box to give the Bearcats a penalty attempt. Senior midfielder Maggie Gleckler stepped up for the attempt and launched her shot past the keeper to give McKendree the lead and eventual victory. 

Senior goalkeeper Peyton Baker held net in full time, grabbing one save and earning the win. 

GOALS
23rd | #33 Macie Begley (1) via #2 Addie Gagen (1)
79th | #11 Maggie Gleckler (1) via Penalty Kick

UP NEXT | Non-Conference Play & Results
August 27 | W, 2-1 at Saginaw Valley State | Saginaw, Michigan - Braddock Field
August 30 | 3:00PM vs Union (Tenn.) | Lebanon, Illinois - Leemon Field | Watch ($) / Stats
September 1 | 1:00PM vs Delta State | Lebanon, Illinois - Leemon Field | Watch ($) / Stats
September 3 | 3:00PM at Christian Brothers | Memphis, Tennessee - Signaigo Field | Watch ($) / Stats

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