Moklestad's Golden Goal Propels Drake Past Evansville, 1-0

DES MOINES, Iowa - A golden goal in the 95th minute (94:18) by senior Laura Moklestad (Des Moines, Iowa/Roosevelt) catapulted the Drake women's soccer team to a pivotal 1-0 Missouri Valley Conference victory over Evansville (2-7-3, 1-1-1) on Sunday (Oct. 7) at the Cownie Soccer Complex.

The game-winning tally on Senior Day kept the Bulldogs (11-3-1, 2-0-1 MVC) unbeaten in league play heading into a crucial road showdown at Creighton on Thursday (Oct. 11).

The contest was far from a masterpiece for either side over the first 90 minutes as neither team was able to capitalize on their scoring opportunities.

Drake bettered the Purple Aces in shots in the affair, 12-10, including a 2-1 advantage in overtime.

Sophomore Ashlie Stokes (Sioux City, Iowa/Sioux City North) set the stage for the game-winning tally delivering a ball into the box that Moklestad was able to collect and spin around her defender before finding the back of the net for her fourth goal of the year.

Stokes led all players with a game-high four shots, while junior Generve Charles (Wausau, Wis./Wausau East) registered three. Abby Springer directed Evansville's effort with a team-best three shots.

Junior Kalena Litch (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) registered a game-high four saves en route to posting her sixth shutout on the campaign. Simone Busby recorded three stops for the Purple Aces.

The Bulldogs honored seniors Kelsey Pigg (Waukee, Iowa/Waukee), Lauren Strickfaden (Wichita, Kan./Independent), Kasey Wellman (Northfield, Minn./Northfield), Tara Zika (St. Louis, Mo./Ursuline Academy) and Moklestad in Senior Day festivities before the game.

A 7:00 p.m. tilt at Creighton is next on the Bulldogs' ledger on Thursday (Oct. 11) before a non-conference encounter at Iowa State next Sunday (Oct. 14).