DES MOINES, Iowa - Sophomore Rebecca Rodgers (Peotone, Ill./Peotone) registered her fourth multiple-goal performance of the season and sophomore goalkeeper Kylynn Moyer (Omaha, Neb./Millard North) equaled a school record pulling in 14 saves to lead the Drake women's soccer team to its first Missouri Valley Conference victory of the campaign with a 3-0 triumph past Missouri State (5-8-2, 1-2-1 MVC) on Saturday (Oct. 18) at the Cownie Soccer Complex.
“That was a convincing win for us,” Drake head coach Lindsey Horner commented. “Our players knew all week that tonight was an important game for MVC standings and that we had to perform near our potential. This game went our way because everyone did their job, and did it really well.”
“While Generve (Charles) is out, and she is our emotional leader, Rhian (Pritchard) stepped up as a leader in training and tonight Ashlie (Stokes) got the team going right from the first whistle with her energy and physical play.”
The Bulldogs (7-7-2, 1-1-2 MVC) took the early momentum in the affair after Rodgers registered her team-leading eighth goal of the season at the 6:08 mark. The ball was flicked into the box by sophomore Kayla Armstrong (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Xavier) to Rodgers, who beat Missouri State goalkeeper Laura Ketzer for the goal.
“Becca (Rodgers) is a special player that hadn't scored in a while, so I'm happy for her to find the back of the net,” said Horner.
Rodgers extended the Bulldogs' lead to 2-0 in the 38th minute (37:08) tallying her ninth goal of the season and fourth career multi-goal game, all this fall. Freshman Hannah Wilder (Wheatfield, Ind./Kankakee Valley) served the ball over the defensive backline to Rodgers to record her first career assist.
Drake took a 2-0 advantage into the halftime intermission despite being outshot in the initial stanza, 9-7, including 6-3 on goal.
Both teams had golden scoring opportunities in the second half, but it was not until the 75:47 mark that either team scored when sophomore Sarah Grace Nicholson (Overland Park, Kan./Olathe East) netted her first career goal heading in a corner kick from junior Kylie DeHaven (Olathe, Kan./Olathe East).
Fueled by 12-9 margin in shots over the final 45 minutes, Drake bettered the Bears in shots on the evening, 19-18. Missouri State collected a 14-11 differential in shots on goal.
A game-high seven-shot performance courtesy of Rodgers led the Bulldogs. Drake also was the recipient of three shots apiece from Armstrong and senior Ashlie Stokes (Sioux City, Iowa/Sioux City North). Mary Disidore paced Missouri State with a team-high six shots.
“Our players took on the information from training and our game plan, and went out and executed really well,” explained Horner. “We knew it would be pivotal to control the midfield and thought we were excellent at this for large portions of the game. We also talked about scoring a restart goal and converting our goal scoring opportunities, both of which we accomplished.”
Moyer matched the school record for saves (14) set exactly 12 years ago, also versus Missouri State on Oct. 18, 2002, en route to her fifth shutout of the season. Ketzer finished the affair with eight saves for the Bears.
“Overall each of our players showed up tonight with a belief that we could win and the work ethic and quality to match that,” said Horner. “Tonight's shutout was well earned by our backs, and Kylynn (Moyer) had a record night in net. She relieved pressure in behind our backs and looked confident and decisive in doing so."
The Bulldogs return to action next Saturday (Oct. 25) hosting Illinois State in a 7:00 p.m. tilt at the Cownie Soccer Complex. Drake will honor seniors Generve Charles (Wausau, Wis./Wausau East), Stokes and Tori Flynn (O'Fallon, Mo./St. Joseph Academy) in pre-game ceremonies.
