MADISON, Wis. – The Drake University women's soccer team held the Wisconsin Badgers scoreless for a 0-0 draw that was played on a warm and sunny Sunday, Aug. 28 afternoon at the McClimon Complex in Madison, Wis.
 
Drake (2-0-1) and Wisconsin (1-1-2), the defending 2015 Missouri Valley Conference and Big Ten Conference regular season champions, respectively, battled for 110 minutes over two halves and two overtimes.
 
"This game tested our grit," said head coach Lindsey Horner. "We defended for stretches of the game against a good Wisconsin team with a very special playmaker. Our team defense was solid and our back line was superb. We had a few half chances but to be fair we worked hard to get numbers behind the ball." 
 
The Badgers outshot the Bulldogs, 24-4, and in corner kicks with 15 to just one. However, Drake's defense and junior goalie Haley Morris (Clive, Iowa) were outstanding in the match. Morris recorded five saves while the Bulldogs' back line limited the Badgers to just six shots on goal.
 
Drake was coming off a 4-0 win at UIC Friday night while Wisconsin played Milwaukee to 1-1 draw Thursday night in Madison.
 
"Winning the game in the first half was huge for us on Friday night," Horner said. "We need to recognize the importance of putting our chances away early and how that positively impacted our energy level today in a warm overtime game."
 
Drake's best scoring opportunity Sunday came midway through the first half when senior Rebecca Rodgers (Peotone, Ill.) got behind Wisconsin's back line but Badger goalie Caitlyn Clem smothered the ball before Rodgers could fire a shot.
 
"Our team is in a good place right now in terms of developing over the course of preseason," said Horner. "With school starting Monday and playing at home next weekend we will face new challenges and distractions that we didn't while we were in a bit of a vacuum during preseason. I look forward to maintaining a high level of focus in preparation for our first home game."
 
The Bulldogs open their home slate at Cownie Soccer Complex on Sept. 2 against South Dakota.