CHICAGO – The Drake University women's soccer team defeated Loyola, 3-1, Thursday, Oct. 27 night in Missouri Valley Conference action at Loyola Soccer Park.
 
With the road win, Drake improved to 12-4-2 and 2-3-1 in the MVC, and most importantly clinched a spot in the MVC Tournament. The Bulldogs will be the number five seed and will travel to Terre Haute, Ind., Sunday to take on fourth-seed Indiana State at 12 p.m. CST. The two teams tied for fourth but the Sycamores earned the higher seed for their 3-2 comeback victory in the regular season meeting between the teams on Sept. 30. Sunday's contest will be broadcast on The Valley On ESPN3.
 
Senior Kayla Armstrong (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) scored a pair of goals on Loyola (4-11-2, 2-4-0 MVC) and has seven goals in the last four games. Sophomore Alyssa Brand (Skokie, Ill.) added the other goal as the Skokie, Ill., native played near her hometown. Brand assisted on each of Armstrong's goals while Armstrong assisted Brand's goal. Armstrong leads the team in goals with 10 while Brand is second with six.
 
"We are playing some of our best soccer right now, and that's exciting," said Drake head coach Lindsey Horner. "There was a lot on the line this evening, and it has been enjoyable to see Kayla get rewarded in these last few games with points. I felt our midfield did a fantastic job in the attack and Brooke Salisbury and our backline was solid in defending Loyola's counterattack.  Alyssa is such a presence in the air, but also showed her quality back to goal and breaking through on the dribble."
 
Armstrong's torrid scoring spree over past two weeks has her rapidly climbing the career goals rankings. She now has 18 career goals to rank seventh all-time in program history.
 
Armstrong's first goal Thursday came in the 19^th-minute (19:02). After receiving a through ball from Brand, Armstrong beat the Ramblers' defense and fired the ball from 18 yards at near post to put Drake up 1-0. Just over five minutes later, Armstrong tallied her second goal (24:54) as Brand sent a ball over the top that Armstrong chased down and fired in the back of the net.
 
Loyola scored its lone goal in the 52^nd-minute off a corner kick that Drake failed to clear. Taylor Lambouris scored the goal.
 
Brand put the Bulldogs back up by two goals in the 55^th-minute. Armstrong sent a cross from the edge of the 18-yard box and Brand headed in at near post.
 
"I'm pleased that a lot of what we have been discussing in film and spending time on in training is coming out on game day and the team is getting rewarded with MVC points," Horner said.
"We are guaranteed one more game, and are pleased to get another chance at Indiana State. Our staff can't wait to see how we can build on tonight's performance and put our best foot forward. We will let the players enjoy this result tonight and then switch gears to preparing for Sunday's match."