Three-Goal Explosion Propels Drake To 3-0 Win Past North Dakota State

DES MOINES, Iowa - On the strength of its largest home-scoring output in nearly two seasons, the Drake women's soccer team registered a 3-0 triumph past North Dakota State (4-5) on Sunday (Sept. 21) at the Cownie Soccer Complex.

The Bulldogs (5-5) recorded their highest total of goals (3) in a home game since defeating Missouri State, 3-0, on Sept. 22, 2012.

Freshman Rachel Wanninger (Johnston, Iowa/Johnston) delivered what proved to be the game-winning goal for Drake at the 19:12 mark serving a ball over the head of Bison' goalkeeper Sierra Bonham off a pass from junior Kylie DeHaven (Olathe, Kan./Olathe) from the midfield circle. The goal was the first in the collegiate career of Wanninger.

The Bulldogs stretched their advantage to 2-0 in the 29th minute (28:07) when Maddie Nelson (Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury) connected on her first goal of the season. Creating the scoring opportunity with a pair of strong passes was junior Alex Freeman (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East) and sophomore Rebecca Rodgers (Peotone, Ill./Peotone).

Drake maintained the lead heading into the intermission despite being outshot in the initial stanza, 8-6.

Freeman added her first collegiate goal at the 74:02 mark as she stripped the defender of the ball at the top of the box and blasted the ball past a diving Bonham to give the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead.

The Bison earned a 9-4 margin in second-half shots en route to outshooting Drake on the afternoon, 17-10, including 7-5 on goal.

Nine different Bulldogs recorded a shot in the affair, with junior Rhian Pritchard (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley North) posting a team-high two shots. Lauren Miller and Anisha Kinnareth led North Dakota State with three shots apiece.

Sophomore goalkeeper Kylynn Moyer (Omaha, Neb./Millard North) garnered her third shutout of the season behind a game-high seven saves. Bonham finished the affair with two saves for the Bison.

Drake returns to action on Wednesday (Sept. 24) hosting South Dakota in a 5:30 p.m. tilt at the Cownie Soccer Complex. The game will serve as Faculty Appreciation Night for the Bulldogs.