DES MOINES, Iowa – After playing its first three regular season matches and two preseason exhibitions on the road, the Drake University women's soccer team hosts UMKC on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Cownie Soccer Complex. Following Friday's game, Drake welcomes North Dakota State on Sunday at 1 p.m. Both games will be broadcast online via The Valley on ESPN3.
 
Drake (1-2) is coming off a 3-0 defeat at Marquette on Aug. 25. Marquette, who held a 1-0 advantage at halftime, scored two goals right out of the halftime break to grab control of the game. Drake was limited to 12 shots and three shots on goal with seniors Kasey Hurt (Ankeny, Iowa), Ali Smith (Lenexa, Kan.) and Hannah Wilder (Wheatfield, Ind.) each recording one shot on goal and two shots each.
 
UMKC (2-2) dropped road matches to start the season to Oklahoma State and Oral Roberts, but bounced back with home victories over South Dakota State and UIC. Junior Lexie Howard has a team-leading two goals and five points. Drake and UMKC have split the past two matchups with the away team winning each. The Bulldogs have a 4-1-1 advantage in the all-time series.
 
North Dakota State (0-4) will play at UNI Friday night before traveling to Des Moines. The Bison have been shutout in each of their first four games. Drake edged NDSU, 1-0, last season in Fargo, N.D. Drake owns a 6-2-1 advantage in the all-time series.
 
Following the weekend, Drake will continue its homestand with matches against Wisconsin on Sept. 7 and South Dakota State on Sept. 10 at Cownie.