DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake women's soccer lost an evenly contested Missouri Valley Conference Tournament title game to Valparaiso, 1-0 at Mediacom Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 5.
 
The Bulldogs wrapped up an impressive season that saw them tie the program record for wins and set the school record for conference wins along with many other accolades throughout the season.
 
"We didn't play up to our potential today," head coach Lindsey Horner said. "We will take a step back and see everything we accomplished this season. I think we owe our seniors a lot to be in this position. Today really hurts, but it was a fun season. We have a lot of older players who took this team on their back. It was about the team and playing for each other."
 
In a competitive first half, both teams had four total shots and three shots on goal. The game was a scoreless deadlock at halftime.
 
Valparaiso (11-5-6) broke through in the 82^nd minute when Addy Joiner passed the ball to Allie Anderson in the 18-yard box. Anderson did the rest, depositing the ball into the left side of the net for the late go-ahead goal.
 
With its season on the line, Drake ramped up its pressure. Madelyn Smith slid a shot to the right of the net in the 88^th minute. The Bulldogs ripped off a pair of shots in the final minute. Maria Cervello's shot towards the bottom left of the net was corralled by MVC Tournament Nikki Coryell. Only 25 seconds later, Drake regained possession and Madelyn Smith let off a shot from just outside the six-yard box that sailed high.
 
Valparaiso as the No. 6 seed held on to win 1-0, it's fourth victory of the MVC Tournament to head to the NCAA College Cup.
 
The MVC Tournament championship game had an attendance of 1,272 at Mediacom Stadium.
 
"It's amazing," Horner said. "Bulldog nation showed up for us. Today, I wish we could have given them at least a goal to celebrate. They (the crowd) did their part for a home-field advantage."
 
Drake women's soccer finished the 2023 season 13-4-3 and as the 2023 MVC regular season champions.
 
NOTES
- Drake women's soccer matched its program record win total of 13 (fourth time in school history: 2003, 2004, 2017 and 2023).
- Drake's winning streak (seven games) and unbeaten streak (eight games) were ended.
- The Bulldogs are 9-3 in games decided by one goal. 
- Today marked only the second time this season that Drake was held scoreless.
- Drake women's soccer's all-time MVC Tournament record is 11-18-3.
- Emma Nagel, Angela Gutierrez and Maria Cervello were named to the MVC All-Tournament Team.
- Drake still leads the all-times series, 7-4-1.