NORMAL, Ill. -- The Drake women's soccer team was dialed all game long for a 3-0 shutout win over Illinois State at Adelaide Street Field on Thursday, Oct. 12. 

"There were a lot of highlights in tonight's performance," head coach Lindsey Horner said. "Our midfield and wingers worked tirelessly to defend their box midfield. Our back four started our attack and did well at keeping play in front of us while our front three kept putting their backs under pressure."

Around 20 minutes into the match, the Bulldogs started peppering shots toward Illinois State goalkeeper Audrey Brown. Catie Johnson's shot hit the crossbar and the rebounded to Layla Kebel as her attempt was saved. 

Drake (9-3-3, 5-1-1 in Missouri Valley Conference play) broke through against Illinois State (3-6-4, 1-3-3) during the 37th minute when Brooke Davies threaded the needle on a pass just outside of the six-yard box to Hallie Peak, who volleyed the ball into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.

Early on in the second half, Drake doubled its advantage to 2-0. Layla Kelbel gained separation into the six-yard box and had her first shot batted away by Brown in goal. Peak's ensuing shot was blocked, but Kelbel was in the right place at the right time in the middle of the 18-yard box for her fourth goal of the season in the 55th minute.

The Bulldogs tacked on another goal in the 63rd minute as Maria Cervello dealt the ball to Angela Gutierrez in the 18-yard box. The current MVC Freshman of the Week drilled it into the left side of the net for a commanding 3-0 advantage. 

Addie Ford (71 minutes, four saves) and Kelti Wise (19 minutes, one save) teamed up for the shutout.

"It's always great to be able to reward some of the players that work hard for the team in training but don't earn a lot of playing time," Horner said. "We are thrilled to be able to play Sunday in Mediacom Stadium to close out our regular season home schedule."

Drake women's soccer will play its first game at Mediacom Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 15 against Evansville at 1 p.m.

NOTES
- Three goals is the most goals scored by Drake in conference play this season and the most since a 4-0 win over Parkside in the 2023 season opener on Aug. 18.
- Tonight marked the fourth time since the beginning of the 2019 season that Drake women's soccer scored three or more goals in regulation.
- The Bulldogs won their first road game since Aug. 20 (1-0 at Green Bay). 
- Five conference wins have already surpassed Drake's MVC win total from the 2022 season. 
- Tonight was Drake's seventh shutout of the season and sixth shutout win this year. 
- Nine wins are the most in a season for Drake women's soccer since 2018 (9-9-1 overall record). 
- Hallie Peak scored her second goal of the season and first since Aug. 24 versus South Dakota State. 
- Layla Kelbel and Angela Gutierrez both scored their fourth goal of the season. 
- Gutierrez has scored a goal in back-to-back games.
- Brooke Davies notched her first assist of the season (second of her career). 
- Maria Cervello recorded her second assist of the season and her first since the season opener against Parkside on Aug. 18. 
- The Redbirds still lead the all-time series, 12-11-3, with the Bulldogs winning the past two matchups.