FARGO, N.D. – A goal in the 80th minute proved to be the difference as the Drake University women's soccer team fell to North Dakota State, 1-0 on Sunday, Sept. 11 at Dacotah Field. Drake's record is now 1-5-2 overall while the Bison have back-to-back games at 4-2-2. 
 
"We gained a tremendous amount of experience throughout the non-conference season," head coach Lindsey Horner said. "We haven't learned how to keep a clean sheet yet or put together a solid ninety minutes."
 
The NDSU offense went on the attack early peppering Drake's senior goalie Vianey Lopez with back-to-back shots by Josie Fieldman and Lavin Douglass within the first minute of play. Both shots were cleared away by the Bulldogs. 
 
North Dakota State continued to be aggressive in the first half with back-to-back threatening shots in the 10th and 11th minute respectively. Lopez handled the tough shots and continued Drake's dominant defensive start. 
 
While the Bulldog defense continued to make the Bison uncomfortable on offense, Drake had its best stretch of offensive power firing off three shots between the 16th and 23rd minute. All three of which were from senior midfielder, Rachel Panther. She had her best look to get on the scoreboard in the 19th minute, when she kicked the ball near the bottom corner of the net, but it was saved by the NDSU goalkeeper Sofia Howe.
 
The first half came to a close with the scoreboard reading 0-0. Lopez recorded five saves in the first half.  North Dakota State paced the stat line with eight total shots, while Drake had five. 
 
The second half started with another defensive battle for 30 minutes. The Bison, who struggled to break through the Bulldog line in the first half, continued to add six more shots, but had nothing to show for it. 
 
Drake's offense had a burst of energy during the 53rd minute when freshman forward Layla Kelbel had her first shot of the day and nearly scored the game's first goal. The ball was saved in the bottom center of the net and the Bulldogs went back on the defensive.  
 
In the 75th minute, NDSU had another opportunity to score with a free kick by Kelsey Kalio that sailed over the top of the goal leaving the Bulldogs a chance to respond. The Bison's top offensive starter Olivia Lovick powered through the defense on a break but overshot it.
 
NDSU broke through during the 80th minute after a corner kick fell into the middle of the six-yard box leading to a hectic scramble to defend the ball. This development opened up the bottom corner of the goal for Lavin Douglass to score off an Alicia Nead assist.
 
The score held and the match ended with the Bison out shooting Drake 14-8 including seven shots on goal. Drake's freshman forward, Kendall Starcevich and Panther led the team with a combined five shots and two shots on goal. 
 
"We are excited to get this midweek break and get into MVC play this weekend," Horner said. 
 
Drake women's soccer will begin Missouri Valley Conference play next Sunday, Sept. 18 at Southern Illinois. 
 
NOTES

• Vianey Lopez's six saves put her in the top five in total saves and first in average saves per game in the Valley. 
• Rachel Panther has registered the most shots on the team this season with 12. 
• Kendall Starcevich tallied two shots to double her total on the season. 
• At the end of the non-conference slate, Drake junior forward Emma Nagel leads the MVC in goals (three), points (six), points per game (1.0) and goals per game. 
• Drake women's soccer has one game remaining on its current five-game road stretch.
• Drake leads the all-time series, 9-3-1.