DES MOINES, IOWA -- Drake junior Megan Valenzuela scored off an assist from senior Sam Nosler for the Drake University women's soccer team in the 40th minute to defeat Illinois State 1-0 at Drake Stadium Wednesday night.  

Drake (1-2-0, 1-2-0 MVC) controlled much of the first half, outshooting Illinois State 6-3 with two of those shots being on target. The Bulldogs finally broke through in the 40th minute after earning a corner kick. Sam Nosler took the kick and delivered a volley to the back post that Megan Valenzuela headed down into the netting for her second career goal. 

"That was an exciting, intense matchup tonight. The turf was slick, and the pace of the game was quite high.  I'm proud of how our players prepared this week, executed the game plan tonight, and made significant adjustments at halftime," said Drake head coach Lindsey Horner. "We've been good in training on restarts, so it's great to have the team get rewarded with a corner kick goal." 

The Bulldogs nearly got on the board earlier in the 28th minute when Megan Brown fired in a low ball that was cleared off the line by a Redbird defender.  

Illinois State (2-3-0, 2-1-0) almost found the equalizer in the 72nd minute when Sarah Lafayette's shot rocketed past a diving Stone and bounced off the right post. The ricochet passed parallel across the endline and deflected off the opposite post before Drake keeper Kelsie Stone was able to corral the loose ball.  

Stone successfully stopped six shots to collect the win in goal. 

Horner said, "The wind in our face in the second half, paired with Illinois State pushing to get one back made for more chaotic moments than we would like, forcing Stone to make a fantastic save to keep the clean sheet." 

The Redbirds got another opportunity in the 80th minute when Haley Glover picked off a pass at midfield with no defenders between able to intercept her before the goal. However, Stone was able to sprint back into position the successful defend Glover's shot into the lower right corner. 

Four minutes later, Drake tried to extend its lead with numbers attacking the Redbird goal, but Chole Jones' shot was blocked by the only defender between her and the goal. 

The Bulldogs return to Drake Stadium Sunday March 14 for senior day, with kickoff slated for 1 p.m. against SIU.