The Drake women's soccer team fell to Omaha, 1-0, in its first exhibition match of the season Wednesday night at Drake Stadium. 

"It's great to get this game experience under our belt. Tonight was a fantastic learning experience for not only for the ten players putting on a Drake jersey for the first time, but for our upperclassmen to step into new roles," said head coach Lindsey Horner. "We were able to build our game fitness and start to get on the same page."
 
In three 30-minute periods, the Bulldogs were unable to get past Maverick goalkeepers Rachel Thigpen and Mia Reedtz.  
 
In the 32nd minute of play, Omaha's Laurin Mertz scored to put the Mavericks ahead, 1-0.  
 
Senior Libby Helverson was the only Bulldog to attempt a shot on goal. Freshman Hallie Peak and Brynn Miracle both recorded one shot in the loss.  
 
With 19 seconds left in the match, the Bulldogs had two scoring opportunities. The first was blocked by the Mavericks' defense and the second was called offsides. Drake also had a goal waved off in the second period with an offsides flag. 
 
A total of 27 players entered the match for the Bulldogs, including all seven freshmen.  

Horner said, "Overall, from the run of play, we were difficult to breakdown, which had been our focus so far. We can be better competing in the air, eliminate our turnovers in the defensive third, and put the chances we created on frame."

Each team took five penalty kicks after the match for practice against the opposing team's goalkeeper, scoring all five. 
 
The Bulldogs hit the road to take on South Dakota State in their next exhibition match. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. in Brookings, S.D.