The Drake University women's soccer team defeated in-state rival UNI, 2-0, Thursday afternoon. Both teams battled through cold, windy, and rainy conditions throughout the match. 

In the 14th minute, sophomore Emma Nagel attempted a shot that was deflected by UNI (6-9-2), but was rebounded by freshman Makenna Shepard who then scored to give Drake (7-6-5) the early lead. 

Nagel added two shots, one on goal for Drake, in her 87 minutes on the pitch.

"Tonight was exciting with so much on the line. We haven't handled pressure quite as well as we would like up to this point of the MVC season,  but I felt today we rose to the occasion," said head coach Lindsey Horner. "I'm very pleased with how we kept the ball alive on both goals and were active and on our toes in and around the goal. Have to give credit to some first points this season from Chloe and Meghan, and the work of our backs and defensive midfielders to compete the way they did to earn that shutout."

It wasn't until 13 minutes after the Bulldogs took the lead, that UNI was able to register a shot. Lily Caso attempted to tie the match but her shot by blocked by a Bulldog. 

Four of the Panthers 12 shots were blocked throughout the match. Fifth year keeper Kelsie Stone registered six saves on 12 shots faced in her 90 minutes in the net. 

Freshman Courtney Hinrichs took a corner kick for Drake in the 41st minute. Her kick landed outside of the box at the feet of Chloe Jones when passed it to Meghan Brown. Brown was in the box and found freshman Hallie Peak who then scored to give Drake a 2-0 lead. 

Peak ended the match with two shots, two on goal for the Bulldogs. 

Horner said, "We were pushing for the third goal to assure ourselves a spot in the tournament, but going into the wind and with UNI pushing numbers forward to get back in the game, we just couldn't find that third goal. That meant watching Missouri State and Evansville's overtime result intense, after our game. Our players were so excited to get the fifth seed."

The Panthers were unable to find the net behind Stone in the second half. Lauren Heinsch and Lily Caso combined for seven shots and three on goal for UNI. 

"Playing an opponent twice in the same week can be interesting, but the field will be grass and massive, the ref crew should be different, and the weather is hopefully better. Then you add more for UNI to go for on Sunday, I think it will be a battle," said Horner. 

The Bulldogs, who earned a five seed in the MVC tournament, will head to Cedar Rapids to take on fourth seed UNI, once again, on Sunday Oct. 31 for the first round of the tournament.