DENVER, Colo. – The Drake University women's soccer team fell to Denver, 2-0, in the finale of its two-game Colorado road trip. The Pioneers notched goals in the seventh minute of each half to down the Bulldogs.
"I think we had tremendous opportunities to get better from this trip, and we gained great experience from the Colorado game, but we didn't have our best individual performances today," head coach
Lindsey Horner said. "We have a core of returners we are relying upon to set the standard that need to simplify the game for our younger players. Our first four games are challenging, but we will really only get better from them when we are building on our individual performances."
Junior goalkeeper
Kelsie Stone scattered three saves, including a sprawling stop in the lower-right corner, over her 76 minutes between the posts before giving way to
Vianey Lopez. The true freshman stifled a shot in her Bulldog debut. Horner praised
Sam Nosler,
Cassie Rohan, and
Vanessa Kavan for their play.
"They really stood out today as difference makers, and I am certain we have a squad full of players ready to consistently impact the game in their own way," Horner said.
Drake's offense generated four shots and five corner kicks while Denver controlled most of the possession.
The Bulldogs (0-2-0, 0-0-0 MVC) return to action with their home opener against Baylor on Friday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. in the Cownie Soccer Complex.
"We certainly gained game fitness from this weekend with the heat, altitude, and quality of opponent," Horner said. "We now get to recover and get back to work to prepare for Baylor."
