Box Score VERMILLION, S.D. – Six different players scored a goal for the Drake (2-1) women's soccer team in a 6-2 win over the South Dakota Coyotes (0-3) on Thursday at USD Sports Complex.
“Today's game was good for our team as we had success in the areas we worked on this past week in training,” said head coach Lindsey Horner. “To get six players on the scoreboard demonstrates that we have variety in our attacks. As a team we still need to improve upon some areas on both sides of the ball, but there were many positives to build on from this game.”
Freshman Alyssa Brand (Skokie, Ill.), who scored the golden goal in Drake's win over Pacific on Sunday, put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard first with a header past the Coyotes' goalkeeper at the 18-minute (17:43) mark in the opening half. Sophomore Ali Smith (Lenexa, Kan.) set up the goal with a nice cross pass.
Sophomore Kasey Hurt (Ankeny, Iowa), who had an assist in the Pacific victory, tallied another assist in the first half against South Dakota. Hurt kicked a corner kick to senior Emma Winstead (Iowa City, Iowa), who scored her first career goal off the assist at the 30-minute (30:04) mark later in the half.
Junior Rebecca Rodgers (Peotone, Ill.) added to the scoring with a goal at the 58-minute (58:18) mark in the second half. Rodgers dribbled past the Coyotes' defense for her first goal of the season and the 18th in her career.
Freshman Vanessa Kavan (Lincoln, Neb.) scored for Drake at the 65-minute (64:49) mark in the final period. Kavan's first career goal came on a shot taken from just outside the left side of the box.
Senior Mariah Boncek (Fishers, Ind.) had the fifth goal of the contest for the Bulldogs. Boncek collected a pass from freshman Elaine Gorom (O'Fallon, Ill.) at the 80th minute (79:33) and blasted a long shot past the goalie for her first career goal.
Junior transfer Gabby Charles (Wausau, Wis.) scored her first career goal at the 87-minute mark of the final period. Charles, who transferred from Eastern Illinois, took a pass from Bonceck and punched it in for the final Drake goal.
Drake starting goalkeeper Brooke Dennis (Wauconda, Ill.) played 85 minutes in the game and didn't allow a goal while collecting five saves.
Drake returns to the field on Aug. 30 when South Dakota State visits Des Moines, Iowa. Sunday's game against the Jackrabbits will be played at Drake Stadium at 1 p.m.
