DES MOINES, Iowa -- In poetic fashion, senior Rachel Panther knocked in the go-ahead goal in the 86th minute to add an exclamation point to her incredible career at Drake Stadium. Panther's goal helped the Bulldogs defeat Murray State, 1-0 on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 23) for Drake's third straight shutout victory to end the 2022 regular season. 
 
Drake heads into the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament with a 5-7-6 overall record (4-2-4 in MVC play). 
 
"We have great momentum going into the tournament," head coach Lindsey Horner said.
 
The first half showcased the defensive intensity of both sides. Drake and Murray State combined for seven total shots, three shots on goal and 12 fouls in the first 45 minutes of play. 
 
Drake's first shot on goal came from Panther in the 10th minute when she fired a shot from straight on that was saved by Murray State goalkeeper Jamie Skarupsky. 
 
Junior Emma Nagel continued to be an offensive threat. Nagel was close to breaking the scoreless tie with her shot ricocheted off the left post in the 20^th minute. The scoreless situation held into halftime. 
 
The Bulldogs put the Racers on their heels with three shots between the 46th and 64th minute. Defensively, Drake did its part early holding Murray State to just two shots in that span. 
 
Drake proved to be one shot better. After a beautiful corner kick by redshirt freshman Madelyn Smith was batted away into the six-yard box by Skarupsky, Panther hustled and rebounded the ball. She kicked the game-winning goal into the bottom right corner of the net propelling Drake to victory on Senior Day.
 
"We are really pleased to get a goal from a second phase off a corner," Horner said. "We are even more pleased to give our seniors the clean sheet win on Senior Day." 
 
Drake women's soccer will be the No. 5 seed in the MVC Tournament and will turn around to face No. 8 seed Murray State again in a rematch on the campus of Southern Illinois in Carbondale, Ill., on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. 
 
NOTES

• Drake notched its first three game winning streak since Aug. 29-Sept. 5 during the 2021 season.
• Drake has posted three consecutive shutouts for the first time since Oct. 12- Oct. 26, 2019, when the Bulldogs had four straight clean sheets.
• Rachel Panther ends the regular season with two goals, five assists, and a team-high 30 shots. 
• Emma Nagel concluded the 2022 regular season with a team-best five goals and 13 shots on goal. She finished in a tie for second in the MVC in goals.
• Madelyn Smith is second on the team with three assists this season. 
• Drake evened the all-time series against Murray State at 1-1.