DES MOINES, Iowa - A golden goal by sophomore Kayla Armstrong (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Xavier) in the 99th minute (98:20) propelled Drake (6-7-2) to a 2-1 overtime women's soccer victory past Nebraska Omaha (3-9-2) on Sunday (Oct. 12) at the Cownie Soccer Complex.
Armstrong's game-winning tally was set-up by a heady flick of the ball in front of the box by sophomore Rebecca Rodgers (Peotone, Ill./Peotone) to an opportune Armstrong, who converted for her second goal of the season.
The Bulldogs were playing in their third consecutive overtime game with Drake garnering double-overtime draws in the previous two affairs.
Making her second start of the season and first since the Bulldogs' initial contest of the year, freshman goalkeeper Haley Morris (Clive, Iowa/Valley) registered four saves en route to notching her first collegiate victory in goal.
Drake cultivated a 23-20 advantage in shots on the afternoon, including 9-5 on goal. Senior Ashlie Stokes (Sioux City, Iowa/Sioux City North) equaled a career best with a game-high seven shots for the Bulldogs. Adding five and three shots, respectively, were junior Alex Freeman (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East) and Rodgers. A team-high four-shot performance from Courtney Neville paced the Mavericks' attack.
Haley Shelton finished the game with seven saves for Nebraska Omaha.
The Bulldogs took the early advantage in the affair when junior Rhian Pritchard (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley Northwest) connected on her second goal of the season at the 4:27 mark. The ball was delivered into the box for an assist off a corner kick by freshman Kasey Hurt (Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny).
Drake maintained the lead for the remainder of the first half with both the Bulldogs and Mavericks recording seven shots in the initial stanza.
A defensive turnover in the 60th minute (59:58) resulted in an unassisted tally for Chelsi Rohloff to square the game at one.
Both teams had strong scoring opportunities down the stretch, but neither side was able to convert resulting in overtime.
Drake returns to action hosting Missouri State next Saturday (Oct. 18) at the Cownie Soccer Complex. Game time versus the Bears is set for 7:00 p.m.
