Women’s Soccer, the Reigning #GLVCwsoc Champions, Chosen to Finish Second in GLVC

Story Links

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. | Great Lakes Valley Conference – McKendree University women’s soccer, the four-time and reigning GLVC champions, were predicted to finish in second place in the league according to the 2024 GLVC Preseason Coaches Poll. The team received 178 total points and one first place vote. The Bearcats won their fourth tournament title in 2023 and booked their spot in a seventh-straight national tournament starting in 2016. McKendree will kick off their regular season with games against Alabama-Huntsville on September 5, Montevallo on September 7 at a neutral site, and Kentucky Wesleyan on September 9. The Bearcats will play their first home game of the season on September 11 against Union at 4:00 PM. 

Head coach Tim Strange is entering his 26th season leading the women’s program at McKendree. The team boasts a roster full of experienced players, including Anna Stiffler, Katie Spotanski, Reagan Mauch, Destiny Johnson, Maria Voss, Lena Higgins, Gillian Nicholson, and 2023 Freshman of the Year Maggie Gleckler. Five of the returning players were named All-GLVC in 2023, showing the strength of the team. McKendree is looking forward to integrating its strong recruiting class with the returning talent on the team. 

2024 GLVC WOMEN’S SOCCER PRESEASON POLL

Place
Institution
Points (First Place Votes)


1
Maryville
195 (13)


2
McKendree
178 (1)


3
Drury
166


4
Lewis
152 (1)


5
Rockhurst
139


6
Missouri-St. Louis
135


7
Illinois Springfield
123


8
Indianapolis
92


9
Truman State
91


10
Missouri S&T
84


11
Quincy
79


12
Southwest Baptist
45


13
Upper Iowa
42


14
William Jewell
30


15
Lincoln
24

2023 SEASON RECAP
The Bearcats began the year with four non-conference games, winning all four. They then entered GLVC-play, securing a second-place finish. McKendree ended the regular season with a streak of seven consecutive wins, outscoring their opponents 20-2. Senior forward Anna Stiffler set the program’s all-time goal record during this season. The team was dominant on both sides of the ball, showcasing their strength throughout the season. 

McKendree earned the two-seed at the GLVC Championship Tournament and went on to win their fourth conference title, advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the seventh-straight season. The team ultimately fell in the NCAA Tournament, but several players received honors for their outstanding performances during the season. 

2023 Notables
– 4th GLVC crown (2016, 2017, 2021*, 2023)
– Seventh-straight NCAA Tournament appearance (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023)
– Seventh major Great Lakes Valley Conference award and program’s second Freshman of the Year – Maggie Gleckler
– Six All-GLVC selections (11/09/23 | First – Anna Stiffler, Morgan Bova | Second – Katie Spotanski | Third – Lena Higgins, Maggie Gleckler, Maria Voss)
– NCAA DII Career goal record set by Anna Stiffler (42), seeking All-Time record (49 – Sulyn Keomanivane) 
– Three United Soccer Coaches All-Region honorees (12/6/2023 | Second – Morgan Bova, Anna Stiffler | Third – Katie Spotanski)
– Four D2CCA All-Region (Second – Anna Stiffler, Maggie Gleckler, Katie Spotanski, Morgan Bova)
– Fall ’23 Team GPA: 3.758 | President’s List – 9 | Dean’s List – 13
– Extended home regular season unbeaten streak to 22
– 8th-straight winning / 10+ win season
– 9th-straight GLVC Tournament appearance
– Back-to-back seasons with six All-GLVC selections
– Bova and Stiffler earn third-straight All-GLVC First Team honors, second-straight All-Region honors (USC, D2CCA)
– Spotanski garners first postseason honors (GLVC, D2CCA, USC)

UP NEXT
Sept. 5 – 5:00PM | at Alabama-Huntsville
Sept. 7 – 2:30PM | vs Montevallo (neutral site at UAH)
Sept. 9 – 3:00PM | at Kentucky Wesleyan

Stay updated on McKendree Women’s Soccer by following them on Instagram.

For more updates and information on Bearcat Athletics, visit McKBearcats.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
#BearcatsUnleashed #GLVCwsoc #D2wsoc