NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Drake women's soccer team (12-3-3, 8-1-1) improved their best conference season in program history with their eighth league win of the year to clinch the 2023 MVC regular season title. The Bulldogs outlasted a second-half charge by Belmont (3-8-7, 2-3-5) to earn their seventh regular season championship in program history.
 
"I'm so proud of this group," Drake head coach Lindsey Horner said after the win. "This is a very hard trip and our players dug deep and our bench was great again. Everyone that is a part of our program helped us clinch the championship today."
 
The first half was all Bulldogs as Drake built a 3-0 lead by the halftime horn. Layla Kelbel got the scoring started in the 15th minute with her sixth goal of the season, the second-highest total on the team. Kelbel was assisted by Amelia Crabtree.
 
The Bulldogs' electric opening period continued in the 25th minute when Angela Gutierrez connected on her fifth goal of the year after assists from Emma Nagel and Laura Riesenbeck. Nagel's distribution increased her team lead to 20 total points.
 
Drake got its final score just moments before the first half concluded when Hallie Peak banked one in off the post after a Hannah Olson assist for her third goal of the year. The Bulldogs carried their 3-0 lead into the halftime break.
 
The energy shifted in the second half as Belmont came out firing with hopes of mounting a comeback. The host Bruins managed a pair of goals in the second half as Kate Virtel scored her first of the year in the 58th minute and Maci Pekmezian logged her sixth score of the season.
 
The Bruins challenged the rest of the way and narrowly missed the game-tying goal, but Drake's defense did just enough to hang on to their 3-2 lead and secure the historic victory.
 
The Bulldogs outshot Belmont 10-8 overall and 6-3 in attempts on goal. The hosts attempted five corner kicks to Drake's none. Belmont keepers Sarah Doyle and Amanda Waggoner combined for three saves while Drake's Addie Ford made one.
 
"I can't wait for us to let our players have a break to recover and to host [the MVC Tournament] in our new stadium," Horner added.
 
With the victory, Drake secured the No. 1 overall seed in the upcoming MVC Women's Soccer Tournament and received a bye into the semifinals. The Bulldogs will host the winner of No. 4 UIC, No. 5 Murray State, or No. 8 Evansville on Thursday, Nov. 2 at Mediacom Stadium in Des Moines.
 

NOTES
- Drake women's soccer won its seventh MVC regular season championship and its first since 2017. 
- Eight conference wins are the most in program history. 
- Nagel's eighth goal of the season moved her back into a tie for most goals scored by an MVC player this year. 
- After logging one assist, Emma Nagel owns a team-best 20 points this season. 
- The Bulldogs extended their unbeaten streak to seven games. 
- Drake improved to 4-1-1 on the road this season. 
- Layla Kelbel scored her sixth goal of the season, the second-highest total on the team.
- Drake leads the all-time series with Belmont, 2-0.