DES MOINES, IOWA - The portrait was far from a masterpiece but for the Drake women's soccer team its 2-1 victory over in-state rival Northern Iowa on Thursday evening (Oct. 8) gave the Bulldogs something more important, its first Missouri Valley Conference win of the season.

Drake improved to 6-5-3 overall and 1-1 in the MVC with the triumph, while the Panthers dropped their seventh straight decision to fall to 2-9-2, including 0-3 in league play.

"This was a good win for us tonight," Bulldog head coach Lindsey Horner commented.  "Our backs had a positive impact in our team's ability to go forward.  They gained confidence and experience from this game."

For the first time in four games, Drake collected a first-half goal when freshman Laura Moklestad (Des Moines, Iowa/Roosevelt) netted her fourth goal of the season at the 14:32 mark to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.  Moklestad redirected a deflection into the back of the net off the save of senior Crystal Townley's (Colorado Springs, Colo./Palmer) shot.  The assist was the third of the year for Townley.

Drake held a 1-0 advantage until senior Elizabeth Woerle (Coon Rapids, Minn./Meadow Creek) connected on her team-leading sixth goal of the season in the 69th minute (68:36) to give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead.

Northern Iowa broke up Drake's bid for its sixth shutout of the season when Kala Negus registered her second goal of the year at the 80:25 mark.

The Bulldogs outshot the Panthers, 12-7, led by Woerle and Moklestad with four and three shots, respectively.  Laura Heaton and Chelsie Hochstedler paced Northern Iowa with two shots apiece.

"Our team is recognizing that good things happen when we are able to get a hold of the ball and run at players, and tonight this translated into goals, not just a great chances," Horner said.  "We let UNI back in the game.  We have to do better at preserving a shutout, but credit UNI with fighting until the end."

Lauren Potzman registered a game-high four saves for Northern Iowa, while sophomore Kourtney Arnold (Norwalk, Iowa/Norwalk) pulled in three saves.

Drake returns to action on Sunday (Oct. 11) as the Bulldogs face Southern Illinois Edwardsville in their final non-conference game of the year.  Game time is slated for 1:00 p.m.