UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University women's soccer team opened the 2026 season Thursday morning with a 2-1 loss to McKendree at Robert C. Braddock Field.
The Cardinals (0-1-0) struck early, taking the lead just 2:19 into the contest. Freshman Grace Battershell (Rochester Hills, Mich., Adams HS) found the back of the net off an assist from fellow freshman Melanie Kolnitys (Midland, Mich., H. H. Dow HS), giving SVSU a 1-0 advantage. The goal was the first of Battershell's collegiate career, while Kolnitys recorded her first collegiate point with the assist. Saginaw Valley nearly doubled the lead less than a minute later when Kolnitys put an attempt on goal, but the McKendree goalkeeper Peyton Baker made the save.
The Bearcats (1-0-0) began to generate pressure midway through the opening half. Ava Wilberding (Grand Rapids, Mich., Forest Hills Central HS) made a pair of saves to preserve the lead before McKendree broke through in the 23rd minute. Addie Gagen found Macie Begley, who scored with 22:48 left in the half to even the match at 1-1.
The score remained tied heading into halftime with McKendree holding a 6-5 advantage in shots. The Cardinals earned four corner kicks in the opening 45 minutes while the Bearcats recorded five.
Saginaw Valley controlled much of the attacking pressure in the second half. The Cardinals earned eight corner kicks after the break while holding McKendree without a corner and finished the afternoon with a 12-5 advantage in the category.
SVSU generated chances early in the half with Battershell, Peyton Kennedy (Saginaw, Mich., Heritage HS) and Abby Ellis (Waterford, Mich., Waterford Mott HS) each recording attempts. Wilberding kept the match level at the other end with saves in the 65th and 69th minutes.
The deciding goal came in the 79th minute after McKendree was awarded a penalty kick. Maggie Gleckler converted the attempt at 78:17 to put the Bearcats ahead 2-1.
Saginaw Valley pushed forward looking for an equalizer over the final 12 minutes. AvaLee Pomper (Richmond, Mich., Memphis Junior/Senior HS) and Jaidyn Veldhouse (Grandville, Mich., Calvin Christian HS) recorded attempts before Alahna Beckett (Midland, Mich., Midland HS) added another in the 88th minute. The Cardinals also earned three corner kicks over the final seven minutes, including opportunities with six seconds remaining, but were unable to find the tying goal.
SVSU finished with an 11-10 advantage in shots and a 12-5 edge in corner kicks. McKendree put six shots on goal compared to two for the Cardinals.
Battershell led Saginaw Valley with two shots and scored her first goal of the season. Kolnitys recorded a goal contribution in her collegiate debut with the assist and placed her lone shot on target. Beckett finished with two shots.
Head coach Tyler Channell had this to say about the season opener,
"Tough loss to swallow for sure. Our first 10 minutes were fantastic against a quality NCAA tournament side. After that, the game was fairly even, and we were able to get into halftime feeling confident with our overall play. Second half we executed everything to a tee minus a bit of desperation in the box. The efforts, game plan, togetherness was all their minus the final produce. We'll look to regroup as we have a quick turnaround against a quality Northwood side come Sunday, but I thought the team was fantastic today."
Up Next: Cardinal women's soccer heads on the road for their second match of the season, taking on their rivals down US-10. The Northwood Timberwolves host SVSU on Sunday, August 30 at 12 PM at Dean Soccer Field in Midland, Mich.
