SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Drake women's soccer team could not keep pace with the top-seeded Missouri State Bears in Sunday's Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Championship. Missouri State scored two goals in each half to down Drake 4-0 and end the Bulldogs' postseason run.
 
"I'm really proud of this group," Drake head coach Lindsey Horner said. "After the start to the season, not many people thought we would be competing for a championship. I appreciate our seniors for their leadership during those tougher times…for always working hard, having a positive attitude, and putting the team first. They're a selfless, special group of people that continued to believe."
 
Julia Kristensen scored the game's first goal, and her eighth of the year, just five minutes in to give the Bears an early advantage. The Bears added another goal later in the first half when Kristensen dished to Grace O'Keefe for her sixth score of the season (36'). Missouri State (13-4-3, 9-0-1) took their 2-0 lead into the half.
 
"We needed to have a better start than we did today [to have a chance at winning]," Horner added. "Missouri State made it difficult to play, and we weren't able to move the ball as we normally do. Congratulations to MSU. It's tough to lose after going undefeated for so long, but when the tears dry up, I know the group will be proud of making it to consecutive championship games. I'd like to think we are building something special here and can regularly contend for trophies."
 
O'Keefe found paydirt again shortly after the second half started. She netted her seventh goal of the year in the 58th after another Kristensen assist. Kaeli Benedict, who also assisted on the Bears' third goal, later provided the final blow after a Lily Patterson distribution (80'). The Bulldogs (8-7-6, 6-2-2) never seriously challenged Missouri State as the regular season champs secured the MVC Tournament title and the league's automatic berth into the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
 
Avery Mertz, Madelyn Smith, Angela Gutierrez, and Maia Bentley each recorded a shot on goal as the Bulldogs trailed in total attempts, 16-6. Missouri State also earned a 7-4 advantage in shots on target. Bulldog keeper Addie Ford made two saves in Saturday's contest.
 
"Our captains (Avery Mertz, Catie Johnson, and Lily Overstreet) set a high standard for the team were such a positive impact on our program," Horner concluded. "They're incredibly valuable to our team and often go unrecognized. We don't get to this game without their impact."
 
The loss snapped a 7-game unbeaten streak for the Bulldogs. Their last loss came on Oct. 3 at Indiana State. Horner's squad ends the 2024 season with an overall record of 8-7-6 and conference mark of 6-2-2 while earning runner-up status in both the regular season race and tournament play. 2024 marks the second straight season the Drake women have had their campaign ended in the MVC Tournament title match.