Skip To Main Content

Drake University Athletics

Drake Sets Two Records In 7-1 Women?s Soccer Victory Over Indiana State

Women's Soccer Drake Athletics

Drake Sets Two Records In 7-1 Women?s Soccer Victory Over Indiana State

DES MOINES, IOWA ? Senior Nikki Thaden (Clive, Iowa) scored two goals as the Drake women's soccer team set school records in single-game scoring and second half scoring to down Indiana State, 7-1, in its final home Missouri Valley Conference match of the season.

The Bulldogs came back from an early 1-0 deficit to score four goals in 16-minutes of play to earn their third conference win of the season. Drake improved to 6-8-2 on the campaign with a 3-2-0 league mark.

“This season has been a rollercoaster of sorts. Collectively and individually our athletes have had to ride the twists and turns, peaks and valleys, inherent in a rollercoaster,” said Drake head coach Corbin Stone.

Sarh Whiteley scored Indiana State's lone goal in the 12th minute (11:32) on a feed from Lauren Podolski to the far post.

Senior Cindi Brenner (Hoffman Estates, Ill.) started Drake's seven goal attack in the 20th minute (19:07) when she took a pass from senior Morgan Virgilio (Hawthorn Woods, Ill.), dribbled around Sycamore's goalkeeper Rachel Rudizis and took a shot on the open net to even the score, 1-1.

The six-goal second half was kicked off for the Bulldogs by a goal inside the box from sophomore Crystal Townley (Colorado Springs, Colo.) which gave Drake its first lead of the night in the 54th minute (53:45).

Freshman Abi Dodds (Topeka, Kan.) connected on a pass from senior Sarah Foote (Arvada, Colo.) to notch another tally for the Bulldogs in the 61st minute (60:14).

Foote netted a goal of her own less than a minute later (61:02) on a feed from Ali Walsh (Florissant, Mo.), a 25-yard blast that bent into the upper left corner.

Thaden scored her first goal on a penalty kick in the 70th minute (69:44). Thaden beat Indiana State goalkeeper Erin Gibson to the left side. Gibson dove to the left, but Thaden sent it just past her reach.

Thaden one-timed a pass served up by Virgilio in the 80th minute (79:57) to record her second goal on the night.

Sophomore Elizabeth Woerle (Coon Rapids, Minn.) took a short pass from Foote off the hip in close quarters inside the box to cap off the Bulldogs scoring effort in the 84th minute (83:06).

“The question has always been how were they going to deal with the highs and the lows, with them playing well and not playing well,” added Stone. “Whether you are playing against Florida or a team like Indiana State, which has its back against the wall fighting to get into the tournament what is the appropriate response?”

“When it is all going wrong, is our response excuses and despair or is our response one of renewed vigor, determination, energy and drive. Against Evansville the answer was clear, much like it was tonight,” said Stone.

Thaden led the Bulldogs with five shots, four of which were on goal. Foote led all players with a season-high three assists.

Drake outshot the Sycamores, 20-7, taking 15 second-half shots. The Bulldogs took 14 shots on goal in the contest.

Sophomore Alyssa Lee (Southlake, Texas) made two saves in her first start in goal for the Bulldogs. Rudzis notched four saves, while Gibson netted three for Indiana State.

“This is the kind of response that makes teams and defines them. Our response on Sunday will further define our season and us,” concluded Stone.

Drake concludes regular season play with a trip to Illinois State on Sunday to meet up with the Redbirds at 1 p.m.



Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Cindi Brenner

#15 Cindi Brenner

M
5' 6"
Sophomore
Morgan Virgilio

#24 Morgan Virgilio

M
5' 9"
Freshman
Sarah Foote

#18 Sarah Foote

F
6' 0"
Sophomore
Nikki Thaden

#25 Nikki Thaden

M
5' 8"
Sophomore
Abi Dodds

#21 Abi Dodds

M
5' 3"
Junior
Alyssa Lee

#0 Alyssa Lee

GK
5' 5"
Redshirt Junior
Crystal Townley

#9 Crystal Townley

F
5' 4"
Senior
Ali Walsh

#4 Ali Walsh

F
5' 5"
Redshirt Sophomore
Elizabeth Woerle

#13 Elizabeth Woerle

M
6' 1"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Cindi Brenner

#15 Cindi Brenner

5' 6"
Sophomore
M
Morgan Virgilio

#24 Morgan Virgilio

5' 9"
Freshman
M
Sarah Foote

#18 Sarah Foote

6' 0"
Sophomore
F
Nikki Thaden

#25 Nikki Thaden

5' 8"
Sophomore
M
Abi Dodds

#21 Abi Dodds

5' 3"
Junior
M
Alyssa Lee

#0 Alyssa Lee

5' 5"
Redshirt Junior
GK
Crystal Townley

#9 Crystal Townley

5' 4"
Senior
F
Ali Walsh

#4 Ali Walsh

5' 5"
Redshirt Sophomore
F
Elizabeth Woerle

#13 Elizabeth Woerle

6' 1"
Senior
M