The Basics
The Drake women's soccer team returns to the pitch with another pair of road contests to close out the month of August. The Bulldogs are slated to challenge SIUE on Thursday, August 28 followed by another date with a Big 12 conference foe, the Kansas Jayhawks, on Sunday, August 31.
 
Bulldogs by the Numbers
Through the first four games of the season, the Bulldogs own a record of 1-1-2. Last week Drake picked up its first win of the season in a 5-0 rout over the Western Illinois Leathernecks and settled for a 1-1 draw against the Iowa State Cyclones. Drake's five goals against WIU tallied the most goals in a match for the Bulldogs since 2015. Leading the charge for Drake has been senior forward, Eve Blakey. The Newcastle, England, native was named MVC Player of the Week on Tuesday following a two-goal, two-assist performance in the win over Western Illinois. Blakey currently leads the Bulldogs in points (8), goals (3), assists (2), shots (8), and shots on goal (6) through the first four games of the season.
 
Drake Leaders
Eve Blakey l 8 PTS – 3 G – 2 A - 8 SH – 6 SOG
Madelyn Smith l 5 PTS – 2 G – 1A - 7 SH – 3 SOG
Angela Gutierrez l 4 PTS – 1 G - 2 A – 8 SH – 5 SOG
Addie Ford l 1-0-1 W/L – 7 SV – 1 GA - .875 SV%
 
Scouting SIUE
The Cougars have begun their 2025 campaign going 1-2-1 in their first four games. SIUE is currently on a two-match losing streak after dropping home contests to Omaha and Missouri State last week. SIUE has relied on some youth for production this season as of the 10 players who have scored a goal or registered an assist, six are freshmen.
 
The series between Drake and SIUE is tied 3-3. Drake won the last two meetings between the two schools, including a 1-0 win in Des Moines, Iowa, during the 2021 season.
 
SIUE Leaders
Amanda Dean l 4 PTS – 2 G – 3 SH – 3 SOG
Savannah DeFini l 4 PTS – 2 G – 6 SH – 5 SOG
Alayna Hauser l 2 PTS – 1 G – 8 SH – 5 SOG
Sarah Bozeman l 1-2-1 W/L – 21 SV – 9 GA – .700 SV%
 
Scouting Kansas 
The Kansas Jayhawks are currently undefeated through their first four games of the season with a record of 3-0-1. KU owns wins over Missouri State, South Dakota State, and Utah Valley. In their last match, the Jayhawks drew with Utah State, 0-0. Kansas was picked to finish fifth in the Big 12 this season and is currently receiving votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll. The Jayhawks will host No. 6 Florida State before their match with the Bulldogs.
 
In the all-time series, Kansas owns the lead over Drake by a mark of 5-0-1. Last season, the Jayhawks got the better of the Bulldogs, 1-0, in Des Moines. The lone tie in the series came back in 2021, the last time the two sides met in Lawrence, Kansas.
 
Kansas Leaders
Lexi Watts l 7 PTS – 3 G – 1 A – 11 SH – 3 SOG
Caroline Castans l 5 PTS – 1 G – 3 A – 4 SH – 2 SOG
Jillian Gregorski l 4 PTS – 2 G – 9 SH – 5 SOG
Sophie Dawe l 3-0-1 W/L – 12 SV – 3 GA - .800 SV%
 
Up Next
Drake will be back in Des Moines to host Omaha on Wednesday, September 3. Kickoff versus the Mavericks is slated for 5 p.m. CT from Mediacom Stadium.