DES MOINES, Iowa – The Illinois State Redbirds rallied to defeat the Drake University women's soccer team, 3-2, Saturday night in Missouri Valley Conference play at the Cownie Soccer Stadium.
"Tonight's result is disheartening," said head coach
Lindsey Horner. "We got the ball into dangerous areas and were quite good for stretches of the game especially in the second half. We defended so well and to deflect two goals into our own net was too much for us to overcome this evening."
Drake (9-4-2, 0-3-1 MVC) scored the match's first goal as senior
Kayla Armstrong (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) stole the ball from Illinois State's (9-5-2, 3-0-1 MVC) defense. Armstrong fired a shot to the far post that found the back of the net to put the Bulldogs up 1-0. Her goal came in the 22
nd minute (22:05) of the match and is the fourth of the year for the senior.
Illinois State answered with goals from Lauren Koehl (26:42) and Kelli Zickert (34:42) as the Redbirds led 2-1 at halftime.
Drake sophomore
Alyssa Brand (Skokie, Ill.) evened the score at 2-2 at the 50-minute mark (50:27) as Brand beat the ISU defense, fired a strike from deep on the far side of the field that found the back of the net for her team-leading fifth goal.
Illinois State took the lead back at the 57-minute mark (57:59) as Koehl scored again.
Drake continued to be the aggressive team firing several more shots that were so close to finding the net.
In the final 10 minutes, senior
Sarah Grace Nicholson (Overland Park, Kan.) headed a ball off a deep service ball that was just left of the net. Later junior
Brooke Salisbury (Kearney, Mo.) blasted a shot that ISU's goalie, Haley Smith had slip through her hands but go out of the goal box.
"Credit Illinois State for putting the ball into dangerous areas," Horner said. "It was great to see Kayla put the team on her back and be so dangerous with the ball. Alyssa's goal was pure determination. At this point we have to continue to work for results and fight our way into the MVC tournament. There is a sense of fight about us and enough quality that we can grind out some results here to come."
Drake visits Ames, Iowa, Oct. 18 for a non-conference match with the Iowa State Cyclones. First kick at the Cyclone Sports Complex is set for 7 p.m. The Bulldogs host their season-finale on Oct. 22 when they welcome Missouri State at 2 p.m.
