WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's soccer team battled Evansville to a scoreless draw Saturday evening in Missouri Valley Conference play at Tiger Field in West Des Moines.
 
Drake (5-8-1, 2-1-1 MVC) and Evansville (4-8-2, 2-1-1 MVC) each earned a point in the MVC standings and moved closer to first-place Loyola (6-6-1, 3-1-0 MVC), which was edged by Illinois State, 3-2, in overtime in Chicago. Prior to the match, Drake held its senior day for its five-member class of Alyssa Brand (Skokie, Ill.), Tawny Carroll (Streamwood, Ill.), Linda Fiorito (Overland Park, Kan.), Elaine Gorom (O'Fallon, Ill.) and Shannon Steurer (Ballwin, Mo.).
 
"We are pleased to earn the shutout, but a bit disappointed to have been on the ball as much as we were and not find a goal," said head coach Lindsey Horner. "A point on the road always feel better than home draws, but with the results so far across our league, these next three games are going to be so important and equally exciting."
 
The Bulldogs outshot the Purple Aces, 12-6, including a slight 6-5 advantage on shots on goal. Freshman Alison Walls (Kansas City, Mo.) led the attack with three shots, including two on target in the first overtime. Her second-to-last shot on goal nearly won it for the team in the first overtime, but it went high. Her final shot was saved by Evansville's goalkeeper, Michaela Till. Sophomore Olivia Bruce (Lakeville, Minn.) also had a chance in the first extra period, but Till also saved it. Sophomore Hannah Bormann (Amana, Iowa) had the Bulldogs' final chance in the second overtime, but her strike was saved by Till, who collected six saves.
 
Drake sophomore goalkeeper Kelsie Stone (Hoffman Estates, Ill.) finished with five saves, including two key stops in the final overtime. 
 
In the first half, each team managed just one shot on goal as Shelley Lyjak (Bartlett, Ill.) had her header saved midway through the opening period.
 
"Cassie (Rohan) is hitting her stride at the right time, our back four, Sam (Nosler) and Kelsie (Stone) have proven to be difficult to breakdown in MVC play, and we have a lot of hungry attacking personalities ready to put their stamp on the game," Horner said. "We have a relatively short turnaround to prepare for instate rival UNI, but we will be ready."
 
Following Saturday's contest, Drake travels to UNI Oct. 17 for a 7 p.m. in-state midweek game. The match will be broadcast on ESPN3.