AUGUST 26, 2011
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - An own goal 53 seconds into the second-overtime session
lifted Drake (2-1) to a 2-1 victory over Northern Arizona (0-3) in women's
soccer action at the Mortenson Mountain Classic on Friday (Aug. 26).
"Big double-overtime win
for us," Drake head coach Lindsey Horner commented. "We were facing a team that was debuting their new stadium in
their home opener, while competing at 7000 feet of altitude. Northern Arizona battled
extremely hard in the first half and dominated us for 50-50 balls. They
were very dangerous in their corners and free kicks and ultimately
caught us with a well placed free kick."
"The momentum of the game changed
after their goal. I like how we have responded thus far in situations
where we need to get one back, but as we progress through the season I
know we can come out with that fire from the get go."
The two sides battled in a scoreless tilt in the initial
stanza as the Lumberjacks outshot Drake, 6-2.
Sam Monahan broke the stalemate striking a ball from 30
yards out to give Northern Arizona a 1-0 lead at the 76:56 mark.
Junior Laura Moklestad (Des Moines, Iowa/Roosevelt) netted
the equalizer in the 87th minute (86:18) to ultimately send the contest into
overtime for the Bulldogs.
Northern Arizona goalkeeper Lauren Weaver attempted to make the defensive
stop but Moklestad took a feed from senior Danielle Figliola (Longmont, Colo./Silver Creek) and
nailed the shot into an empty net.
Sophomore goalkeeper Kalena Litch (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) equaled a
career mark for saves pulling in a game-high 10 stops, while Weaver registered
two saves.
"Laura (Moklestad) causes a lot
of problems with her pace and willingness to defend and while she
created both our goals, tonight's win took a team effort," said Horner. "Kalena made
some big time saves to put us in a position to win."
Northern Arizona outshot the Bulldogs in the affair 17-7,
including 11-5 in the second half and overtime. Drake outshot the Lumberjacks
in the extra sessions, 3-0.
The Bulldogs garnered a team-high three shots courtesy of
freshman Katie Helmlinger (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy), while Figliola, Moklestad and
sophomores Brittany Schuling (Bondurant, Iowa/Bondurant-Farrar) and Generve Charles (Wausau, Wis./Wausau East) added one
shot apiece.
Jenna Samora paced the Lumberjacks with a game-high five
shots.
The Bulldogs close out their stay in Arizona battling
Southern Utah in a 12:00 p.m. matinee affair on Sunday (Aug. 28).
