CINCINNATI, OHIO – The Mount St. Joseph University women's soccer team defeated Hanover College 1-0 at Schueler Field on Saturday night, winning the 2026 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Women's Soccer Championship and clinching an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship. The win brings the Lions' overall record to 12-3-3 on the season.

The Mount and Hanover each recorded one shot on goal in the first half. In the 31st minute, Megan Kallmeyer made a save on a shot by the Panthers, keeping the game tied at 0-0. Preslee Rugg nearly broke the tie in the 38th minute, but her shot was saved by the Hanover goalkeeper. Rachel Ginn, Mary Anhofer, and Kendal Fox also recorded shots in the first half but could not convert as the Lions headed into halftime tied 0-0.

In the second half, the Mount dominated, defensively holding the Panthers without a shot while outshooting them 10-0. Khloe Young and Kendal Fox both had shots that nearly broke the tie, but both were saved by the Hanover goalkeeper. In the 82nd minute, Fox sent a pass to Mary Anhofer, who found the back of the net to give the Lions a 1-0 lead. The goal proved to be the difference as the Mount went on to win the HCAC Women's Soccer Championship 1-0 without allowing the Panthers to threaten an equalizer.

Midfielder Rachel Ginn, goalkeeper Megan Kallmeyer, and defender Khloe Young were named to the All-Tournament Team, while forward Mary Anhofer was named the tournament's MVP.

Ginn scored a penalty kick goal to help the Lions advance past Rose-Hulman in the HCAC semifinals. Kallmeyer recorded three saves in the two tournament matches, including a penalty kick save, and earned a shutout victory. Young anchored the defense, helping the Mount allow just one goal throughout the HCAC tournament. Anhofer scored the game-tying goal against Rose-Hulman, converted a penalty kick, and scored the game-winning goal against Hanover. Ginn, Kallmeyer, Young, and Anhofer each played all 200 minutes of the HCAC tournament.

UP NEXT: The Lions earned the HCAC's automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship. The Mount will learn its opponent and location during the NCAA selection show on Monday, November 9, at 11:30 a.m.