EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Drake University women's soccer team claimed a 4-1 road win over Evansville on Saturday afternoon in Missouri Valley Conference play at McCutchan Stadium
With the comeback win, Drake (11-3-1, 4-0-0 MVC) extended its impressive winning streak to eight consecutive matches. Evansville (4-10-0, 0-4-0 MVC) scored the first goal of the match in the 27
th minute after Montana Portenier headed in a ball off Sara Osinski's shot that had hit the post.
However, Drake answered with the equalizer right before halftime in the 44
th minute (44:18) as senior
Hannah Wilder (Wheatfield, Ind.) hit a low ball past the Evansville goalkeeper into the side netting. The goal was set up by two nice passes from freshmen
Olivia Bruce (Lakeville, Minn.) and
Abby Stephenson (Nevada, Iowa).
Out of halftime, Drake wasted little time as senior
Rachel Wanninger (Johnston, Iowa) scored in the 52
nd minute (52:34) from 15 yards out off an assist by
Rebecca Rodgers (Peotone, Ill.) to take a 2-1 lead. Wanninger added to the lead in the 60
th minute (60:33) with her second goal after she scored in the upper 90 from just outside the box off a no look reverse pass from junior
Alyssa Brand (Skokie, Ill.). Freshman
Hannah Bormann (Amana, Iowa) netted the Bulldogs' final score in the 88
th minute (88:23) after she took a pass from Rodgers and hit a chip shot over the head of the goalkeeper.
"I think the first half was a reminder of what it's like to play on the road," said Drake head coach
Lindsey Horner. "We were very much in control and Alyssa had hit the post and crossbar, then we concede against the run of play. We had a huge response from three players off the bench to get the equalizer prior to half. From that point forward we did an excellent job of making EU chase and making the field big. These types of games play right into Rachel's strengths, so we are pleased she was able to impact the score line. Evansville did a good job of contesting Rebecca, and she did quite well to change her role by coming into midfield to get on the ball and be a playmaker."
Drake will continue its road trip over fall break with a Tuesday contest at Missouri State set for a 6 p.m. first kick. The match with the Bears will be broadcast on
The Valley on ESPN3.
"Alyssa, Cassie (Rohan) and Brooke (Salisbury) each gave a gutsy performance when they weren't quite 100 percent," Horner said. "We are pleased for three freshmen to get in the points column. Our players look forward to having a few days off from school and getting ready for a big Tuesday matchup at Missouri State."
Drake outshot Evansville, 18-5, including nine to just three shots on goal. Senior goalkeeper
Haley Morris (Clive, Iowa) recorded two saves. Rodgers with 92 career points is now tied with Andrea Schmitz for the all-time mark in program history.
