The Drake women's soccer team aims to improve from the results of its abbreviated spring season, and the challenges that came with it. After the fall season was postponed to the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bulldogs went 2-4-2 and did not advance to the Missouri Valley Conference tournament for the first time in two decades.  
 
"Last season brought some challenges, including unfortunately not making it to the conference tournament," said Drake defender Megan Valenzuela. "Along with the goal of making the conference tournament, we are looking forward to having a full, regular season. It almost feels like a reset from all the struggles that we faced both on and off the field from the pandemic. Ultimately, growing back to that very high, competitive level that is Drake women's soccer." 
 
Valenzuela, a key defender for the Bulldogs, started six games and appeared in seven during the spring. She recorded one goal, a game-winner against Illinois State.  
 
"Last season was anything but optimal in terms of our performance and results, but not surprising because our team thrives on having strong relationships with their teammates and a lot of the bonding and fun parts of team sports were taken away due to COVID," said head coach Lindsey Horner.  
 
After losing two defenders and one forward to graduation in the spring, Drake added two transfers and seven first-year student-athletes to its roster. 
 
Sophomore defender Courtney Hinrichs joins the Bulldogs after one season at Milwaukee.  
 
Kelti Wise, a sophomore goalkeeper who transferred from the University of Findlay, saw action in five games with one start. She earned G-MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors and helped Findlay win the GMAC tournament title in the 2020 season.  
 
"Our freshmen came in healthy and fit, ready to learn and excited to put their stamp on the game.  They're doing very well with the transition to the college game, and we are looking forward to seeing how they perform in a game situation," Horner said. "Almost a third of our team is new when you count in our transfers this year so we are getting on the same page as quick as we can." 
 
During the 2020-21 season, senior goalkeeper Kelsie Stone tied the school record for most saves in a game with 14 against Valparaiso. She also led the MVC with most in a game with the stat.  
 
"Being one of the players with the most experience on the team is a new role I have been learning to share my vision I have on the field with some of the younger players," Stone said. "Playing at this level for four years now I can see what the play will develop into before it happens. We are a very young team with a lot of players in new roles. I can help them expand their vision of the field and their ability to read plays to maximize the potential they have. They are all so talented and the quicker we can learn to play off one another the more we will achieve." 
 
Before starting conference play, the Bulldogs have two exhibition matches scheduled, Omaha (Aug. 11) and South Dakota State (Aug. 15). The team also has games scheduled against two Big 12 opponents and Big Ten prior to starting conference play on Sept. 25. All home matches this season will be played at Drake Stadium. 
 
The Bulldogs take on Omaha in their first exhibition match Wednesday at Drake Stadium at 7 p.m.