The Basics
After playing to a draw in three of its last four games, the Drake women's soccer team returns home to battle Missouri State on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. before heading back on the road to face Valparaiso on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 1 p.m.
 
Drake currently sits at 1-5-3 overall and 0-0-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference after a 2-2 draw at Southern Illinois on Sunday, Sept. 18. Senior goalkeeper Vianey Lopez leads the MVC in total saves with 36 and averages 4.50 saves per game, which ranks second.
 
The defense is not the only side of the ball Drake has shown improvements. The Bulldogs produced one goal during a four-game losing skid but have since scored five goals. Junior forward Emma Nagel has led the Valley in total goals with three for most of the season.  
 
Sophomore defender Brooke Davies punched in her first career goal nine minutes into last Sunday's match against Southern Illinois. Fellow sophomore forward Makenna Shepard scored her second goal of the season in the 38th minute.
 
Freshman forward Layla Kelbel has proven herself as someone the Bulldog offense can look to when applying pressure on opposing goalies. Kelbel leads the team in shots (11) and shots on goal (seven). Senior midfielder Rachel Panther has yet to score a goal this season, but she has a team-leading two assists (third most in the MVC).
 
Scouting Missouri State
The fundamentally sound 4-4-1 Missouri State Bears will visit Drake Stadium for a Thursday night contest under the lights. The Bears have won back-to-back games.
 
Drake's defense will be focused on slowing down the Bears trio of scorers.  Junior forward Gracie English has notched two goals in the last three games. Alongside English is sophomore forward and MVC Offensive Player of the Week, Grace O'Keefe (two goals). Freshman forward Joey Fosnow leads the MVC in shots on goal (12).
 
The Bear defense is led by junior goalkeeper Camielle Day, who ranks fifth in the MVC with 29 saves. She holds a 3-3-1 record through eight starts.
 
Series History
Drake leads the all-time series against Missouri State, 12-7-3.
 
Scouting Valpo
The Beacons enter the week with a 1-0 record in the MVC. The Beacons are led by head coach John Marovich, who is entering his 15th season and is the winningest coach in program history.
 
Valpo ranks ninth in the Valley with four goals as of Sept. 21. Most of the offense runs through the power freshman duo. Midfielder Molly O'Rear leads the MVC with 25 total shots, one goal, and 11 shots on goal, which ranks second in the conference. Forward Kelsie James is second in the conference with 23 shots, one goal, two assists and 11 shots on goal.  
 
Junior Nikki Coryell is at goal 27 saves on the season, ten saves behind Lopez in first. She is coming off an impressive sophomore season where she ranked third in the MVC with 86 total saves.
 
Series History
Drake leads the all-time series, 6-2-1. The Bulldogs have yet to lose on the road to Valpo.