DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's soccer team earned a 1-1 draw against Kansas City on Sunday afternoon at Cownie Soccer Complex.
Olivia Bruce scored her first goal of the season for the Bulldogs in the 51
st minute before Kansas City's Lindsey Prokop netted the equalizer in the 59
th minute.
"This was a great game that was fairly tight," Drake head coach
Lindsey Horner said. "It didn't really open up until the end of the game and overtime. I thought we were the better team at creating half chances from wide areas but didn't do enough to turn those into goal scoring moments."
The Bulldogs applied pressure offensively throughout the match, ripping 14 shots total and peppering six shots on goal in addition to owning the majority of possession.
"I want to us put fullbacks under pressure and attack the box off the dribble or combining with players," Horner said.
Drake did just that following a scramble inside the six-yard box in the 51
st minute when
Libby Helverson found Bruce open from 10 yards out. Bruce did the rest, sending her shot into the top left corner to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.
Kansas City was quick to respond in the 59
th minute when Rylan Childers delivered a through-ball to Lindsey Prokop, who finished for the Roos.
"Kansas City was more dangerous than us in transition," Horner said. "We knew we couldn't let the game open up, but we were undone for the equalizer in a transitional moment."
Junior goalkeeper
Kelsie Stone was a force yet again for the Bulldogs as she rejected seven attempts by Kansas City. Both teams were held scoreless throughout both 10-minute overtime periods.
"The game was the complete opposite performance from last Sunday," Horner said. "We competed, we were physical, and we were up for the challenge. We are pleased for Olivia to get in the scoring column, and our center back pairing continues to get stronger on both sides of the ball.
"Overall this weekend was a step in the right direction for us in our own growth."
The Bulldogs return to action against North Dakota State at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13 at Cownie Soccer Complex.
