VERMILLION, S.D. –
Rebecca Rodgers (Peotone, Ill.) scored an early goal to help send the Drake University women's soccer team past South Dakota, 1-0, Sunday, Aug. 13 afternoon in Drake's final exhibition contest of the preseason. The two teams competed in three 30-minute periods and then staged a practice penalty kicks shootout.
"We made ground today on the aspects of our game that we identified as areas of improvement after our first exhibition against NIU," said head coach
Lindsey Horner. "Our movement and ability to play out of the back, using our forwards as link players really played to the strengths of our midfielders.
Kelsie Stone started her career today with a huge save, and after that we looked sharp in possession and created some fantastic chances.
Rebecca Rodgers worked hard this summer to get back to game shape, so we are pleased for her to get back in the stats."
It was the first goal for Rodgers since late in the 2015 season as the redshirt senior only appeared in five matches in 2016 due to injury. Rodgers, who was named the 2015 MVC Player of the Year and received a medical redshirt to return this year, led the Bulldogs with three shots including two on goal. Her goal came in the 10
th minute (10:50) off a corner kick by senior
Kasey Hurt (Ankeny, Iowa).
Freshman
Hannah Bormann (Amana, Iowa) and junior
Alyssa Brand (Skokie, Ill.) each added two shots as the team finished with 10 shots. Freshman goalkeeper
Kelsie Stone (Hoffman Estates, Ill.) started and recorded three saves, including a key save midway through first period. Senior
Haley Morris (Clive, Iowa) also saw action and tallied two saves.
Drake opens the regular season in Las Vegas for the UNLV Invitational, Aug. 18 and 20. The Bulldogs will first play host UNLV on Friday at 9 p.m. CST and then after a one-day break will play Weber State Sunday at 12:30 p.m. CST.
"After two exhibition games our coaching staff is really pleased with the progress of the team," Horner said. "We have gained an understanding of our style, had our freshmen play some quality minutes, and come away with game fitness without losing anyone to injuries. UNLV will be a tough opponent that will test us on Friday, so we have to keep learning and growing this week."
