CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Drake University women's soccer team played 80 minutes of dominant soccer before Southern Illinois scored two unanswered goals in the final seven minutes of the game in a 2-2 draw at the Lew Hartzog Complex on Sunday (Sept. 18). Drake's overall record moves to 1-5-3 while SIU's overall mark sits at 3-2-2. 
 
"It was disappointing to let a two goal lead slip away," head coach Lindsey Horner said, "I really think we were very solid for the first 80 minutes of the game. It's always hard to go on the road and face a team that is on a roll. We are pleased to come home with a point."
 
The Drake offense came out firing and struck first within the first nine minutes. Brooke Davies knocked in her first goal of the season over the Saluki goalkeeper in the center of the goal from about 18 yards out. 
 
For the next 30 minutes of gameplay, the Bulldog offense continued to pressure one of the Valley's top defenses. Three Drake shots were fired in the ensuing possessions from Emma Nagel and Davies. 
 
In the 38th minute, Drake's offense doubled the lead to 2-0 with a goal by Makenna Shepard that was assisted by Kendall Starcevich near the same spot Davis scored.
 
At halftime, Drake stood out on the stat sheet with six shots, four being on goal, including six corner kicks. The Bulldogs built their lead off of a balanced offensive attack as Nagel, Davies and Shepard each had two shots by the end of the first half.
 
The Salukis came out with a sense of urgency. Drake's senior goalkeeper Vianey Lopez handled the Southern Illinois press, saving back-to-back shots from Ashlyn Henrie and Riley Maulick in the 49th minute. 
 
The Drake defense was blocking everything the Salukis were giving them until a late game mistake gave the Salukis some late hope. Sam Dodd delivered her second goal of the season in the 83rd minute off an assist from Liz Brechtel. 
 
Encouraged by a late goal, Southern Illinois grabbed momentum.  The Salukis capitalized on a corner kick in the 86th minute. Quinn Parks snuck a shot past Lopez in the lower left side of the net. 
 
The Bulldogs earned two opportunities to take the lead back in the 89th minute with consecutive shots from Maia Bently and Starcevich. After 90 minutes of the play, the contest ended in a 2-2 draw.
 
"We are thrilled to be at home this Thursday as we have been all over the Midwest this non-conference season," Horner said. 
 
The Bulldogs will return home to Drake Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. against Missouri State.
 
NOTES

• Drake concluded a five-game road stretch that began on Sept. 1. 
• The Bulldogs are still undefeated against the Salukis in the all-time series. Today marks the third tie in school history. Drake leads the all-time series, 3-0-3. 
• In the ninth minute, Brooke Davies scored her first collegiate goal. 
• Shepard scored her second goal of the season and has two goals in three games in 2022.
• Kendall Starcevich provided the first assist of her collegiate career. 
• Nagel led the Bulldogs with three shots. Her season total is 10 total shots, one behind Layla Kelbel (11).