LEBANON, Ill. – Drury and McKendree combined for an offensive surge in the first half, with the Bearcats coming away with a 4-2 win on Wednesday night at Leemon Field in Lebanon.
Following a 70-minute lightning delay, the Panthers opened with a bolt of energy. In the 4th minute, the McKendree defense collapsed on
Bella Hernandez, who slipped a pass to a streaking
Melissa Higgins to break the scoring seal early. The lead was short-lived, as Audrey Andrews — the reigning GLVC Offensive Player of the Week — pushed a shot past
Katy Fitzler to tie the match. Andrews struck again in the 22nd minute, giving McKendree a 2-1 advantage.
Just seconds later,
Elli Davison retied the match at 2-2, finishing a cross from Hernandez. McKendree responded quickly, reclaiming the lead in the 26th minute on a goal from Lyla Karolczak, assisted by Maddie Mauch. After five goals in the opening 26 minutes, the remainder of the half saw only two total shots.
Eight minutes into the second half, Drury had its best chance to equalize on a shot from
Sunny Potter, but McKendree goalkeeper Alyse Day made a leaping save. The Bearcats added insurance in the 77th minute when Mauch scored from just outside the 18-yard box, sneaking the ball past Fitzler's outstretched hands. Drury's late push fell short, sealing the 4-2 McKendree win.
MATCH NOTES
- Each team recorded 15 shots, with McKendree holding a 7-5 edge in shots on goal.
- The match featured 29 fouls and seven yellow cards.
- Bella Hernandez assisted both Drury goals, tying her career high with two.
- Elli Davison's goal was her first of the season.
- Higgins' opening goal was her second of the season, leading the team.
- Carly Swan led Drury with five shots (two on goal); McKendree's Maddie Mauch led all players with six shots (two on goal).
- Mauch assisted two Bearcat goals; Maggie Gleckler added an assist.
- Katy Fitzler made three saves; McKendree's Alyse Day also made three.
- Drury's two goals marked its highest single-game total this season.
- From McKendree's first goal to its third, 3:35 separated the three scores; Drury added a goal during that span, totaling four goals in 3:35.
- With two goals from Andrews, she has now scored six goals in her last three matches, including a hat trick vs. Upper Iowa.
- Taylor Thompson made her season debut, playing two minutes in the first half after subbing in for Fitzler, who was removed by officials following contact on a McKendree yellow card.
- Sunny Potter made her collegiate debut.
UP NEXT
Drury returns to Springfield on Saturday, Sept. 19 for a 10 a.m. kickoff against Indianapolis.
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