WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's soccer team lost its Missouri Valley Conference opener to Loyola, 3-0, in an intensely fought match on Saturday night at Valley Stadium. A trio of second-half goals sealed the Bulldogs' fate.
 
Loyola's Megan Nemec took a low cross from Simone Wark and finished it in the bottom left corner to open the scoring in the 47^th minute. Katharine Stephens assisted on goals by Savanah Cruz in the 75^th minute and Aleksa Tataryn in the 81^st minute.
 
Fans huddled under umbrellas to take in the action on a rain-soaked pitch, but their spirits weren't dampened. Cheers rained down from the stands and the sidelines as a hotly contested battle brewed on the field. 23 fouls were committed and one yellow card was given out.

"Loyola was braver and more competitive to winning first and second balls," said Drake head coach Lindsey Horner. "That was the major difference in the game in the run of play. I've seen our players compete with Baylor, the most direct team in the Big 12, so I know we are capable of competing for bouncing balls, or goal kicks and punts. While Delaney Goertzen and Cassie Rohan are out, we have to replicate their desire to control the midfield."
 
The game was a rematch of last year's MVC Tournament Championship contest, which the Ramblers won 3-2.
 
Erika Townley uncorked five shots overall and two shots on target, half of Drake's total in both categories.

"Some of our younger players did well in their MVC debuts, including Audrey Vidmar in the back, Rebecka Musungu in the midfield, and Erika Townley up top," said Horner.
 
Kelsie Stone, who was named the MVC Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday, recorded three saves for the Bulldogs.
 
Drake (3-6-1, 0-1-0 MVC) returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 5 when it travels to Springfield to take on Missouri State.

"Loyola is a good team," Horner said. "I have a lot of confidence in our program to pick up MVC points and make this a fun Valley season."