DES MOINES, Iowa – Senior Ali Smith (Lenexa, Kan.) scored her first career goal and it was the game winner for the Drake University women's soccer team in a 2-1 comeback victory over UMKC Friday night at the Cownie Soccer Complex.
 
Drake (2-2), who trailed 1-0 to UMKC (2-3) at halftime, also received a goal from redshirt senior Rebecca Rodgers (Peotone, Ill.), her first since late in the 2015 season. Rodgers, who played in just five matches in 2016 due to an injury and received a medical hardship to play this season, has 28 career goals. She trails all-time leader Andrea Schmitz (2002-05, 32) for the top mark in program history.
 
Rodgers goal came early in the second half (48:21) off a deep pass from senior Brooke Salisbury (Kearney, Mo.) as Rodgers beat the Kangaroos' defense and blasted the ball in the left corner to even the match at 1-1. It is the first career assist for Salisbury, who played all 90 minutes Friday night.
 
Drake, who doubled up UMKC in shot attempts with 14 to 7, broke the tie in the 68^th minute (68:05) off a nice set piece on a corner kick. Senior Rachel Wanninger (Johnston, Iowa) took the corner and blasted a high ball towards the box as Smith was able to get her head on the ball and sent it past the goalkeeper, Anna Lillig.
 
Rodgers, who nearly scored a goal in the first half off a free kick, just missed her second goal later in the second half as her second free kick of the night went left of the goal. She finished with five shots.
 
Drake senior goalkeeper Haley Morris (Clive, Iowa) relieved freshman Kelsie Stone (Hoffman Estates, Ill.) in the second half and earned the win. Morris finished with two saves.
 
Drake hosts North Dakota State Sunday at 1 p.m.