The Basics
It's conference action only remaining for the Drake women's soccer team as it progresses on for the 2024 season. The Bulldogs are set for their first MVC road match heading to Valparaiso on Sep. 22 and will then play host to Illinois State a week later on Sep. 29.
Bulldogs by the Numbers
Drake tallied its first win of the season to close out its non-conference portion of the schedule, defeating Western Illinois 2-1 on Sep. 15. The Bulldogs then welcomed preseason favorite Missouri State to Des Moines on Thursday for their conference opener and fell to the Bears, 3-1. Drake now has a record of 1-5-4 on the 2024 season. Earlier this the week, the Bulldogs had another member of their squad garner a MVC weekly award as
Zoey Mahoney was named Defensive Player of the Week after she tallied assists against Green Bay and WIU.
Drake Leaders
Eve Blakey l 8 PTS – 3 G – 2 A - 15 SH – 8 SOG
Zoey Mahoney l 5 PTS – G – 3 A – 5 SH – 3 SOG
Angela Gutierrez l 4 PTS – 2 G – 23 SH – 10 SOG
Addie Ford l 1-5-4 W/L – 34 SV – 18 GA - .654 SV%
Scouting Valparaiso
Last season's MVC Tournament champions, the Beacons were chosen to finish in fifth place in preseason polling of the MVC head coaches tallying 83 points in the poll. Valpo holds a record of 4-5-0 on the season after splitting its final two matches of the nonconference schedule last week and is 0-1 in Valley play after falling to Indiana State in its conference opener on Thursday.
Drake leads the all-time series vs. Valparaiso with a record of 7-4-1 dating back to 2002. When it comes to recent matchups, however, the Beacons have gotten the better of the Bulldogs winning three of the last four, including the conference tournament title match last year. Drake will be looking to end a winning drought on the road against the Beacons with its last win in Valparaiso coming in 2018.
Valparaiso Leaders
Addy Joiner l 10 PTS – 4 G – 2 A - 14 SH – 7 SOG – 2 GW
Sam Gountounas l 5 PTS – 2 G - A – 12 SH – 4 SOG – GW
Kaleigh Shafer l 4 PTS – 2 G – 11 SH – 4 SOG – GW
Kate Sheridan l 2-3-0 W/L – 20 SV – 11 GA - .645 SV%
Scouting Illinois State
Following a scoreless tie with Southern Illinois to begin its conference slate, the Redbirds have compiled a record of 2-5-2 so far in 2024. Among common opponents between Drake and Illinois State, the Redbirds beat both Green Bay and Western Illinois whereas the Bulldogs tallied a draw with Green Bay and defeated WIU. The Redbirds will have one more match against Belmont before they travel to Des Moines.
Drake and Illinois State have faced off a fair number of times over the years, but the Redbirds slightly lead the all-time series, 12-11-3. In the previous five contests between against the Redbirds, Drake has gone 3-1-1 and has successfully defended its home turf not losing a home match since 2016.
Illinois State Leaders
Chloe Cline l 4 PTS – 2 G – 7 SH – 5 SOG – 2 GW
Sammi Cenek l 2 PTS – G – 11 SH – 3 SOG
Jade Rehberger l 2 PTS – 2 A – 4 SH
Madi Valenti l 1-5-2 W/L – 29 SV – 12 GA - .707 SV%
Up Next
The Bulldogs will take to the road for their next two matches first taking on Indiana State (Oct. 3) and then Evansville (Oct. 6).
