MISSOULA, Mont. – San Francisco scored two early goals against the Drake University women's soccer team in a 2-1 win Friday afternoon in the season opener for each team at the Montana Cup.
 
San Francisco (1-0) recorded two goals in the first two minutes, but Drake (0-1) quickly had an answer to get right back into the game. Freshman Allison Walls (Kansas City, Mo.) scored her first career goal in the fifth minute (5:21) with a shot from eight yards out that hit off a Dons' defender. However, the Bulldogs aggressive play the rest of the first half and carried over to the second period was unable to net the equalizer as the Dons claimed the neutral site victory.
 
Twice, Drake nearly evened the score out of the halftime break. First, sophomore Olivia Bruce (Lakeville, Minn.) sent her shot off the crossbar and just two minutes later, junior Shelley Lyjak (Bartlett, Ill.) nailed the crossbar again with her own shot. Later, senior Alyssa Brand (Skokie, Ill.) had her own shot sail high over the goal.
 
"Obviously not the start to the game we wanted, but we showed grit to get ourselves back in the game quickly," said head coach Lindsey Horner. "We had the momentum coming out of halftime but just couldn't find the equalizer. Lyjak and Bruce both hit the crossbar, but by the midpoint of the second half it was more of a back and forth game." 
 
"We will undoubtedly look for a better start on Sunday, Horner said. "Less the critical first two minutes, there were a lot of positives to build from. Our backline and goalkeepers are made up of a lot of new faces and gained experience playing in this tough game. Sunday will come quick, but it will be a great opportunity to build on our second half."
 
After a tough start, sophomore Kelsie Stone (Hoffman Estates, Ill.) tallied five saves in the match and with the Bulldogs' backline, that features several new players after the graduation of multiple key players from last season's championship team, buckled down and helped fend off 17 shots, including seven on goal by the Dons.
 
Following Friday's opener, Drake ends its trip to Missoula, Mont., Sunday against Fresno State. First kick is scheduled for 11 a.m. CST.