Women’s Soccer Uses Three-Goal Second Half to Ground Montevallo

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. | Charger Park – McKendree University women’s soccer (2-0-0) remained at UAH following its Thursday evening, season-opening win with a neutral site contest at Charger Park on Saturday, which the Bearcats eventually claimed 3-2 over the Falcons of Montevallo. McKendree used a second half push to capture the win over the Falcons as senior midfielder Katie Spotanski, senior forward Lena Higgins, and senior forward Anna Stiffler each fired a score in the second 45 minutes of action. The Bearcats remain on the road for their next game, taking on Kentucky Wesleyan in Owensboro on September 9 before wrapping up their non-conference slate on September 11 at Leemon Field against Union University.

McKendree went down early in the first half as Montevallo capitalized on a chance in the 11th minute for a 1-0 advantage. The Bearcats struggled initially to push through the Falcons defensive lines as they were out-shot 8-4 in the first half. Junior goalkeeper Maicy Mueller saw her fair share of action during those first 45 minutes as well, grabbing four saves in the initial period. 

In the second half, McKendree gained its footing, leveling the contest at one goal a piece in the 49th minute. The first equalizer was sent by Spotanski, her first goal of the campaign, with a dish-out coming from junior forward Karin Tebelius. The two squads battled for an edge in the following minutes with Montevallo taking a 2-1 lead in the 61st minute. 

The one goal deficit did not last long for the Bearcats as Higgins, who fired the game-winner over UAH on Thursday, found the back of the net in the 65th with Stiffler assisting on the score. McKendree then jumped into the lead less than a minute later as Stiffler bashed her first goal of the season, which proved to be the eventual game winning goal. Higgins sent the assist on the goal ,swapping places with Stiffler from just moments prior.

McKendree held its 3-2 lead for the final 25 minutes to wrap up its season-opening trip to Alabama with an undefeated record at 2-0-0. McKendree now sits 3-0-0 against Alabama Huntsville and 1-0-0 against Montevallo.