ST. PAUL, Minn. – In a game where the first goal was not scored until 71st minute, the Drake University women's soccer team dropped a Thursday (Aug. 25) matinee at St. Thomas, 2-0 on South Field. Drake is now 1-2-0 overall as the Tommies earned their first win of the season.
 
"Energy and effort has to be a staple of our performance as we let ourselves down today," head coach Lindsey Horner said. "Our back line dealt with so much today because we just didn't do enough to make the game easier for them and at some point when they're under that much pressure to put out that many fires, something was bound to give."
 
The first half proved to be a defensive battle for the Bulldogs. St. Thomas controlled the pace of play with three corner kicks and three shots. The Tommies threatened in the 12th minute as their third corner kick was laid out perfectly in the middle of the box and was blocked twice by Drake's stout defense.
 
Every Tommie attack was withstanded by the Bulldogs and Drake fired a shot of its own when sophomore midfielder Haley Horman recorded a shot in the 24th minute. That pace remained for most of the first half as the first 45 minutes ended with the score deadlocked at zero. 
 
The second half started much like the first with St. Thomas controlling the ball with Drake on the defensive and struggling to get into Tommies territory. Drake had their first look at being an offensive threat in the 56th minute when Horman had the Bulldogs first shot on goal. In the 71st minute the scoreless drought ended as St. Thomas' Arianna Sanchez sent the ball to the top left of the net after being assisted by Mariah Nguyen.
 
Late in the game, Drake pushed the ball into St. Thomas' half of the field and had three chances with two throw-ins and a corner kick attempting to tie the game in the 82nd minute. St.Thomas was able to combat the Bulldog push and forced the ball back into Drake's side of the field. 
 
In the 90th minute with four seconds left in the game, Drake goalkeeper Vianey Lopez committed a foul and was assessed a red card. St. Thomas' Camryn Rintoul converted the penalty kick for a goal and a 2-0 lead. 
 
Drake will now prepare for Sunday's (Aug. 28) 1 p.m. home matchup at Drake Stadium against the Kansas Jayhawks. 
 
NOTES 

• Haley Horman recorded two of Drake's three shots including the Bulldog shot on goal in the 56th minute. 
• Emma Nagel registered the other shot for the Bulldogs in the 58th minute. 
• Junior goalkeeper Kelti Wise recorded her first minute of game time this season.