EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - A seventh-minute (6:27) goal from Michelle Auer
spoiled the attempt by the Drake women's soccer team for its first-ever 3-0
start as SIU Edwardsville (1-2) registered a 1-0 victory over the Bulldogs
(2-1) on Friday (Aug. 24).
In its third one-goal decision of the season, Drake
recorded a 12-10 advantage in shots, including 7-5 in the second half.
"We got off to a poor start and were reacting too much in
the first half, and they made good on their best chance," Bulldog head coach Lindsey Horner
commented. "We took the game to
them in the second half and created several great opportunities for the
equalizer, but couldn't find the back of the net. SIUE was clean and
played well, but we have to realize on the road that we have to compete for all
90 minutes."
Sophomore Ashlie Stokes (Sioux City, Iowa/Sioux City North) provided Drake
with its best scoring opportunities in the final stanza registering the
Bulldogs' lone shots on goal in the final 45 minutes at the 45:28 and 59:24
marks, respectively. She also had
a shot blocked in the 60th minute (59:30).
Stokes paced all players with a game-high six shots, while
senior Kelsey Pigg
(Waukee, Iowa/Waukee) added two.
The Cougars were directed by a three-shot effort from Auer.
Junior Kalena Litch (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) recorded five saves for
Drake, while Jennifer Pelley pulled in three stops for SIU Edwardsville.
The Bulldogs return to action on Sunday (Aug. 26) facing
Southeast Missouri State in a 6:30 p.m. road tilt.
