DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Drake women's soccer team faced an early deficit but responded in the second half for a 2-1 victory against Valparaiso at Drake Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 8 to now sit atop the Missouri Valley Conference standings through six games. 

"We definitely played our way into the game today in terms of confidence and quality in our decision-making on the ball," head coach Lindsey Horner said. 

A Valparaiso shot from Lauren Cook ricocheted off of the crossbar to Peyton Evans in the six-yard box. Evans took advantage of the rebound and sent the ball into the back of the net for the first goal of the game in the 38th minute. The physical first half came to an end with the Beacons taking a 1-0 halftime lead into the locker room. 

The Bulldogs remained aggressive as the second half began. Emma Nagel was fouled mid-stride in the 18-yard box during the 54th minute to set up her fourth penalty kick attempt of the season. Nagel converted yet another penalty kick for her seventh goal of the season, fourth of which by PK. 

With the match tied 1-1 in the the 61st minute, the home team was not done yet. Madelyn Smith collected the ball along the near sideline and fired a pass to Layla Kelbel sprinting down the pitch, who found a cutting Angela Gutierrez in the six-yard box. Gutierrez kicked the ball into the bottom left corner of the net past the reigning MVC Goalkeeper of the Year Nikki Coryell for a 2-1 Drake advantage. The Bulldogs forced Valpo into mistakes down the stretch to hold off the Beacons for a 2-1 win at home. 

"We made frantic choices to start the game and didn't play our best possession style that we are capable of," Horner said. "I'm pleased with our team's response in the second half to chip away at their lead and believe in our ability to get back into the game. Our team is thrilled to get a result against a quality side like Valparaiso."

Drake women's soccer will travel to Illinois State for a 6 p.m. kickoff on Thursday, Oct. 12. 

NOTES
- Drake women's soccer has moved into first place in the MVC standings.
- Four conference wins have already matched Drake's MVC win total from the 2022 season. 
- Valparaiso outshot Drake 13-11.
- Both teams were called for 18 fouls during the game. 
- Valparaiso allowed two goals in a game for the first time since a 2-1 MVC Tournament overtime loss to Evansville on Nov. 5, 2021. The Beacons had not allowed two goals or more in regulation since Oct. 28, 2021 (5-0 loss to Loyola). 
- Emma Nagel is 4-for-4 on penalty kick attempts this season.
- Nagel is now tied for the conference lead in goals scored (7). 
- Angela Gutierrez scored her third goal of the season and first since Sept. 3. 
- Madelyn Smith and Layla Kelbel have both contributed three assists this season. 
- Drake women's soccer defeated Valparaiso for the first time since Nov. 4, 2019. 
- The Bulldogs lead the all-time series, 7-3-1.