DES MOINES, Iowa -- Drake women's soccer came away from a physical contest against St. Thomas with a 1-1 result at Drake Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 7.
 
"This was a fun game for spectators but rather frustrating at times for our players," head coach Lindsey Horner said. "The momentum swings were big and St. Thomas was always going to be dangerous with their pace up top."
 
In the 12^th minute, Hallie Peak from the far side of the pitch sent a pass to Layla Kelbel at the left side of the six-yard box. Kelbel popped the ball into the back of the net for her second goal of the season and an early 1-0 edge
 
St. Thomas (2-2-2) answered in the 34^th minute when Mariah Nguyen scored with her left foot into the top left of the goal off of an assist by Jasmine Gates. The game remained in a 1-1 stalemate at halftime.
 
The Tommies outshot Drake in the match, 20-10 (12-5 shots on goal) as Addie Ford in her third collegiate start made 11 saves (six in the second half) including chances from St. Thomas in the 66^th and 69^th minutes. Ford's performance marks the first time a Drake keeper has made double-digit saves since the 2021 season.
 
"I felt we were very close to a second goal but just lacked the quality to execute technically when we had the chance," Horner said. "I'm really proud that we held strong defensively in the second half."
 
Current Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Week Angela Gutierrez fired the ball to the bottom left corner during the 72^nd minute, but Olivia Rowe on a dive pushed it wide for the Tommies.
 
The match came down to an intense final minute as the Bulldogs set up for a corner kick. Gutierrez's corner found the head of Hannah Olson in front of the net, but the header attempt missed just high.
 
"So far this season our players are always up for the battle and willing to defend tough so when you pair that with some great saves a tie tonight is a fair result," Horner said. "Games like this make us better. It was a gritty performance that we can build on."

Drake will play host to Omaha on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. for Senior Day.
 
NOTES

• Addie Ford's 11 saves are the most in a single game by a Drake goalkeeper since Kelsie Stone set a program record with 18 saves on Oct. 3, 2021 versus Loyola.
• Hallie Peak recorded the second assist of her career tonight, the first since Sept. 9, 2021 at South Dakota.
• Layla Kelbel scored her second goal of the season and fourth of her career.
• Drake has played in back-to-back draws this season. 
• The all-time series against St. Thomas is all even 1-1-1.