DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake women's soccer team returned to the pitch at Mediacom Stadium and secured a shutout victory over the Belmont Bruins on Sunday afternoon. Defender Izzy Snowden's lone goal provided the offense while the Bulldog defense held the Bruins in check.
 
Drake and Belmont were off to a slow start as the two squads had to battle windy conditions over the course of the match, but the Bulldogs were still able to find some scoring chances in the first half. Drake fired off four shots in the first 45 minutes of play, but to no avail, however. On the defensive side, the Bulldogs did not allow Belmont to produce a shot as the halftime horn blew with the score deadlocked at 0-0.
 
"We knew the first half would be challenging because we were into the wind," Drake head coach Lindsey Horner said. "At times we let it be too transitional, but once we had sustained possession in their final third, I think our players knew we could break them down in the second half."
 
After the break, Drake continued to push its attack forward and looked for more opportunities to put one on net. That moment came in the 59th minute after the Bulldogs earned their third corner kick in the match. Midfielder Madelyn Smith trotted over to the corner as the Bulldogs got set up and delivered a cross into the box, which connected with the head of Snowden who sent it over the goal line for her first-career collegiate goal.
 
With just over 30 minutes to play the Drake defense continued to stonewall the Belmont offense to preserve its 1-0 lead. The Bulldogs allowed just two shots in the second half with only one coming on target in the final minute of play as the Bruins pushed for an equalizer that never came giving Drake the victory.
 
"I'm really pleased we controlled the second half and looked more dangerous," Horner added. "Izzy Snowden has been so good for us this fall, so it's great for her to be rewarded with the game-winning goal."
 
In total, the Bulldogs tallied 12 shots with seven attempts coming on target. Haley Horman had three of her four opportunities go on goal, while Smith, Layla Kelbel, and Maia Bentley also recorded shots on goal. Drake also totaled five corner kicks compared to three for Belmont.
 
Goalkeeper Kate Hopma had a relatively quiet day in net and made one save in the match. Belmont's Sydney Jones recorded six saves opposite of Hopma.
 
The Bulldogs will be back on the pitch for another home match this week as they welcome UIC to Des Moines on Thursday, Oct. 17.