CHICAGO – Freshman Libby Helverson (West Des Moines, Iowa) scored a golden goal in the 103^rd minute of Friday night's Missouri Valley Conference Championship semifinal 1-0 win over Evansville to send the Drake University women's soccer team to its first MVC title game since 2006.
 
In Sunday's title game at 1 p.m. on ESPN+, Drake (9-8-1) will play tournament host and the MVC regular season champion and No. 1 Loyola, which defeated Illinois State, 2-1, Friday night in the other semifinal. The winner of Sunday's match will earn the Valley's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Helverson, who scored a golden goal in a 3-2 comeback win over Indiana State in the second-to-last regular season match, netted the winner Friday after a wild scramble play. After a foul by the Purple Aces in their 18-yard box, junior Cassie Rohan (Palatine, Ill.) took a free kick from the left edge of the box. Rohan sent the ball into the goal box and a wild scramble ensued as players from both teams tried to play the ball. Sophomore Olivia Bruce (Lakeville, Minn.) made solid contact getting a shot off but it was blocked. However, Helverson timed it perfectly flying through the air as she buried a one-timer near post with her left foot. It is the second career goal for Helverson who Thursday night was selected to the MVC All-Freshman team.
 
"I'm really pleased for our players to have the opportunity to compete for a championship on Sunday," said Drake head coach Lindsey Horner. " We were very much in control of the game.  Sam Nosler, Elaine Gorom, and Shannon Steurer shut down any chances against Kelsie Stone.  I thought Olivia and Libby off the bench had a great impact on the game. We could have become really frustrated by having so many looks and not scoring a goal, but the team was very resilient in our mentality, and tried to play faster before Evansville could get behind the ball. Of all ways to score it seemed there was the majority of Evansville's squad behind the ball in the six and we just kept the ball alive, got our shots on frame and got the rebound volley to find the back of the net."
 
Drake dominated possession and scoring opportunities in the semifinal match against Evansville (4-12-3). The Bulldogs outshot the Purple Aces, 30-6, including a 16-2 advantage in shots on goal. It was the second double overtime game this season between the teams after a scoreless draw Oct. 13 in the first meeting at Tiger Field in West Des Moines, Iowa.
 
Sophomore goalkeeper Kelsie Stone (Hoffman Estates, Ill.) was rarely tested, but saved both shots on target by Evansville. Those two shots on goal came in the first half. It is the sixth career shutout for Stone.
 
Sunday will be the fourth all-time appearance in the championship game for Drake. The Bulldogs captured the title in 2006 when they beat Evansville. Drake also advanced to the MVC title game in 2004 and 2005. The Bulldogs and the Ramblers have played once before in the MVC Tournament back in 2015 in a semifinal contest won by Loyola, 2-0.
 
"We will meet shortly to start preparing for Sunday's game against Loyola," Horner said. "This is the quickest turnaround we have had in months. Additionally, we are all excited to play Loyola again as our first game was intense and competitive. We will do our best to be ready."