LEBANON, Ill. — Union pushed McKendree to the final whistle but couldn't complete the comeback, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Bearcats at Leemon Field on Sunday.
McKendree forward Maddie Mauch did the early damage, opening the scoring in the 14th minute and doubling her tally just two minutes into the second half to put the Bearcats up 2-0. Mauch finished with a match-high six shots and both goals for McKendree.
Union goalkeeper Antia Lopez Rodriguez kept the Lady Bulldogs in it, making three saves before being subbed out in the 63rd minute, and Dehlia Placie turned away a Mauch chance in relief during the final stretch.
The Lady Bulldogs found their goal in the 69th minute when midfielder Irene Arias buried an unassisted strike to cut the deficit to 2-1, and Union pressed for an equalizer down the stretch — firing eight second-half shots, including a blocked attempt from Arias and a shot just wide from Paige Blackburn, but couldn't find the net again.
Union actually out-possessed McKendree 58-42% and won the corner-kick battle 7-1, but was outshot 18-13 overall and 6-6 on target. Rebekah Jackson led Union with four shots, while Kaitlin Conway and Bethany Guinness each put a shot on frame.
The loss drops Union (TN) to 0-2-0 on the young season, while McKendree improves to 2-0-0.
Next up for the Lady Bulldogs is a road match to Carson-Newman in their long series of away trips. They will finally return home to play Spring Hill College on September 19th.
To keep up with the squad, follow @uuathleticsws on Instagram and Twitter.
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