WATERLOO, Iowa – A pair of second-half goals, including an equalizer with 17 seconds left in regulation, propelled the Drake women's soccer team into overtime where the Bulldogs (5-7-1, 0-1-1 MVC) garnered a 2-2 double-overtime draw at in-state rival Northern Iowa (5-5-3, 0-0-1 MVC) on Saturday (Oct. 4).
“It's never good to be in the hole 2-0 from two restart goals, but the urgency we demonstrated and belief to keep fighting on the road was incredible,” Drake head coach Lindsey Horner commented. “Each time we play UNI it is an all-out battle. I felt we did a good job tonight of competing, anticipating, and matching the Panther's physical play.”
Junior Kylie DeHaven (Olathe, Kan./Olathe) registered Drake's first of two shots on goal in the first half striking at ball in the 24th minute (23:43) that Panther' goalkeeper Whitney Blunt was able to save.
Northern Iowa struck first in the affair when Sarah McHugh connected on her second goal of the season at the 26:32 mark to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead.
Sophomore Rebecca Rodgers (Peotone, Ill./Peotone) delivered the Bulldogs' second shot on goal in the initial stanza in the 29th minute (28:14), also corralled for a save by Blunt.
Both sides recorded five shots in the initial stanza, with the Panthers posting a 3-2 advantage in shots on goal.
Katie Witt extended Northern Iowa's lead to 2-0 at the 58:00 mark with her second goal of the campaign.
Junior Rhian Pritchard (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley North) cut Drake's deficit in half in the 64th minute (63:41) connecting on her first goal of the season off an assist from Rodgers.
With just 17 seconds remaining in regulation (89:43), junior Alex Freeman (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East) netted the equalizer for the Bulldogs with her second goal of the season. The play was set-up by a shot from Rodgers that bounced off the save of Blunt that Freeman connected on for the goal.
The two sides each posted eight shots in the second half with Drake garnering a 6-3 advantage in shots on goal over the final 45 minutes.
In the initial overtime session, Stokes connected on the Bulldogs' lone shot on goal in overtime at the 98:58 mark.
In the second overtime period, Drake was credited with three shots, none of which fell on frame.
“The key to getting chances was finding the balance of being physical and ready to take a hit, while not getting drawn into playing overly direct or frantic,” said Horner. “In the end, we had enough good chances to win the game.”
The Bulldogs managed an 18-16 margin in shots on the evening, including 9-6 on goal. Rodgers and senior Ashlie Stokes (Sioux City, Iowa/Sioux City North) each registered a team-high three shots, while four other Drake players posted two shots apiece. Brady Clark led the Panthers with a game-high four shots, although none of the four were on goal.
Sophomore goalkeeper Kylynn Moyer (Omaha, Neb./Millard North) finished the contest with five saves for Drake. Blunt posted a game-high seven saves for Northern Iowa.
Horner offered praise to a number of players for their efforts against the Panthers.
“Rhian (Pritchard) was again fantastic for us, while Rebecca (Rodgers) and Ashlie (Stokes) both were a handful in creating chances. Kayla (Armstrong) and Generve (Charles) were dangerous, and covered a lot of ground tonight; we easily saw the best version of these two on the ball that we have so far this season. Alex (Freeman) and Hannah (Wilder) made the most of their minutes tonight.”
Drake returns to action on Wednesday (Oct. 8) traveling to Loyola for a 7:00 p.m. tilt.
“Overall for much of the game we were very good, and looked to be on the same page,” explained Horner. “Our backs absorbed a lot of pressure as UNI tried to kill the game with 10 minutes left and we threw numbers forward. I'm very proud of the way we battled back and look forward to starting the Loyola game with the same fight to get points on the road.”
