VALPARAISO, Ind. – Junior Shelley Lyjak (Bartlett, Ill.) scored a golden goal in the 97^th minute for the Drake University women's soccer team Sunday, Sept. 23 in a 1-0 road win at Valparaiso in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams.
 
In its first overtime contest of 2018, Drake (4-7-0, 1-0-0 MVC) earned a critical three points to start MVC play with Lyjak's first goal of the season and third of her career.
 
The goal came after freshman Alison Walls (Kansas City, Mo.) had her shot blocked but got the ball back and passed it sideways to Lyjak who was able to hold off her defender and send her shot high past Valparaiso (3-5-1, 0-1-0 MVC) goalkeeper, Kezia Gesell from 15 yards out.
 
"This is a great way to start MVC play," said head coach Lindsey Horner. "The first half was back-and-forth, but we really started to put Valpo under pressure in the second half when we did a better job of winning first and second balls in midfield. We lacked a bit of composure in and around the box to start the second half, but gained confidence that we carried into overtime.  Both Ali and Shelley worked to unbalance their defenders, and we need more of that moving forward. Across the board our individual defending was much better, so we are pleased to earn the shutout. This was our first game at Valparaiso and I have to say the energy from our bench was so impactful that it didn't feel like a road game. We will need the same effort and energy on Saturday against a very good Illinois State side."
 
Drake sophomore goalkeeper Kelsie Stone (Hoffman Estates, Ill.) recorded her second shutout of the season. Stone tallied two saves. Junior Cassie Rohan (Palatine, Ill.) and Walls led the Bulldogs with three shots while Lyjak finished with two.
 
Following Sunday's game, Drake returns home Sept. 29 to host Illinois State. Kickoff at the Cownie Soccer Complex is slated for 7 p.m.