URBANDALE, Iowa – Abby Stephenson's first goal of the season lifted the Drake women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Indiana State on Sunday afternoon. The Bulldogs have now won three games in a row and hold a three-game shutout streak.
 
"I felt our performance today was another example of the team executing the gameplan very well," said Drake head coach Lindsey Horner. "We carried the game for long periods and the timing of our attacking movements were fantastic."
 
The Bulldogs dominated 63 percent of the possession and earned a 20-6 advantage in shot attempts. Their 20 shots tied a season high.
 
Drake's control allowed it to open up many goal-scoring opportunities, but the Bulldogs couldn't find the elusive goal until late.
 
"We were incredibly unlucky not to open up a bigger lead earlier on," Horner said. "But we showed our resilience to manage the game out."
 
Erika Townley was key in the attack. She applied constant pressure on the flanks and in the box as she battled for position and won contested balls. Townley's aggression paid off in the 58^th minute when she drew a foul in the box and earned a penalty kick for the Bulldogs.
 
However Vanessa Kavan's ensuing attempt bounced off the top-left portion of the crossbar and out of bounds.
 
The Bulldogs kept their foot on the pedal and broke through with Stephenson's goal just minutes later.
 
Following a mad scramble in the box, Stephenson gained control and fired a shot into the lower-left corner to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead in the 63^rd minute.
 
"I'm really pleased for Abby to get her goal as she's been very close on multiple corners," Horner said. "And Erika Townley was the spark that inspired us to victory."
 
Drake's defense provided its best effort of the year by limiting Indiana State to season lows in shots (six) and shots on target (three). Goalkeeper Kelsie Stone recorded three saves en route to her fourth clean sheet of the season, a number good for second in the Missouri Valley Conference.
 
The Bulldogs return to action on Saturday, Oct. 26 by hosting Senior Night against Valparaiso. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Urbandale High School.
 
"We look forward to recovering from this stretch of games as we prepare for Valparaiso next week," Horner said.