DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Drake women's soccer team utilized the energy from the amped Mediacom Stadium crowd to jump ahead of UIC and then fended off the Flames in the second half to win 2-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament semifinal round on Thursday, Nov. 2.
"The support from the crowd was fantastic," head coach Lindsey Horner said. "This game would have been completely different away from home. What a superb start to the game, but when we settled in and tried to possess we actually ended up inviting pressure and the game became far more even."
Less than five minutes into the game, Maria Cervello lined up for a corner kick. Her corner was placed perfectly into the left side of the six-yard box to connect with the head of Emma Nagel. The MVC Player of the Year headed the ball into the top left corner of the net for an early 1-0 lead.
The Bulldogs quickly doubled their advantage during the 19th minute when Zoey Mahoney placed the ball in the 18-yard box to Nagel, who deflected the ball to Angela Gutierrez. The MVC Freshman of the Year did the rest as she knocked the ball into the left side of the net with her right foot.
In the 38th minute, UIC cut the deficit in half after Makenna Maloy rocketed a free kick from way outside that landed over the outstretched arms of Addie Ford in the top left corner of the net.
"Credit to UIC for adjusting their pressure and causing us problems," Horner said. "I think our backline and keeper were quite organized. When UIC broke through in the central midfield or out wide, we did a very good job of tracking runners, blocking shots and clearing the ball."
Both teams totaled seven shots in the first half. The Flames limited Drake to two shots in the second half, but the Bulldog defense did not break. Ford compiled seven saves (three in the first half, four in the second half). UIC's last shot of the match occurred in the 89th minute when Riley Collett misfired.
"This game was intense and physical and everything you'd expect a semifinal to be," Horner said. "We expended a lot of energy in midfield in the absence of Amelia Crabtree and Hannah Olson (out during the semifinal due to accumulating five yellow cards in the regular season), so it will be great to get those two seniors back on the field. Our whole team is so thrilled to be competing for a trip to the NCAA tournament on Sunday."
Earlier in the day, No. 6 seed Valparaiso stunned No. 2 Missouri State in overtime to advance to the MVC Tournament championship final against No. 1 seed Drake on Sunday, Nov. 5 at Mediacom Stadium.
NOTES
- Drake women's soccer matched its program record win total of 13 (fourth time in school history: 2003, 2004, 2017 and 2023).
- The Bulldogs are seeking their first MVC Tournament championship since 2006.
- Drake extended its unbeaten streak to eight matches.
- The Bulldogs are now 9-2 in games decided by one goal.
- Emma Nagel scored her team-best ninth goal of the season.
- Angela Gutierrez has scored six goals this season.
- Maria Cervello (third of the season), Zoey Mahoney (fourth of the season) and Emma Nagel (fifth of the season) all provided assists tonight.
- Drake improved its all-time MVC Tournament record to 11-17-3.
- The Bulldogs are 2-0 in games played at Mediacom Stadium this season.
- Drake now leads the all-time series, 3-2 and avenged its 3-1 loss to UIC in the regular season.