FORWARD CRYSTAL TOWNLEY (AS4) gets set to play a ball through the air against two defenders during the Bulldogs’ 0-0 double-overtime tie with DePaul Sept. 6. Photo: Sarah Andrews
The Drake women’s soccer team looks to avenge last season’s loss to Creighton with a win over the Bluejays at 7 p.m. today at Cownie Soccer Complex. The Bluejays defeated the Bulldogs 2-0 last season, and have a regular season record of 9-4-1 and a record of 2-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Drake holds a record of 6-6-1.
“A win against Creighton would be huge,” Head Coach Lindsey Horner said. “We’re playing for points in the conference standings, but beating our rival would be rewarding.”
In a preseason conference poll among coaches, Creighton was picked to finish third and Drake fifth in the MVC.
Creighton goalkeeper Alicia Montgomery has posted seven shutouts this season and has a 0.52 goals-against average per game. The Bluejay offense is led by freshman Brittney Neumann, who leads the team in scoring with six goals.
Creighton is ranked first in the conference in points per game with 5.50, shots per game with 18.93, goals per game with 2.14, goals-against with 0.57 and goals-against average with 0.56.
It is clear from these statistics that Creighton is a juggernaut of the MVC, and Drake has its work cut out for it. The Bulldogs have kept their opponents in check this season, only allowing 0.96 goals per game and 11.6 shots per game.
The Bulldogs will counter with a high-powered offensive attack of their own, with seven different players recording a goal this season. Liz Woerle (AS,B4) leads the team with six goals. Laura Moklestad (AS1) leads Drake with four assists, while ranking second in goals with four, and in overall points with 12.
The defense has been rock solid as well, with a unit led by Bailey Dorrington (B3), Rachel Gielau (AS4) and Karissa Brown (B4). Drake defenders have dealt with 56 shots from opponents, with 27 saves made by goaltender Kourtney Arnold (B2). Arnold has been red hot as of late, posting three straight shutouts to give herself five for her career.
This will be Drake’s 11th meeting with Creighton, and the Bluejays have won six of the first 10 games. The Bulldogs have historically had success in October, going 42-12-6 over the last eight seasons in the month.
The Bulldogs are coming off a tough 1-0 loss to SIU-Edwardsville and hold a 2-3-0 record over their last five games. Of Drake’s 15 games this season, 13 have been decided by a goal or less.
“We have to be able to rebound off of our last loss quickly,” Horner said.
Drake has been on top of its game when it has won, but has played just as bad in its losses. As obvious as that may sound, consider the numbers.
In their six wins this season, the Bulldogs have averaged 16.3 shots per game, five corner kicks and 3.5 saves while their opponents have recorded only 8.7 shots per game, 2.8 corner kicks and 5.8 saves.
In the six losses, Drake has registered 10.2 shots and 4.7 saves, while opponents have averaged 15.3 shots and 3.5 saves.
The task at hand appears difficult for Drake, but Horner said she has faith that her team can get the job done.
“The biggest keys to winning on Thursday will be our intensity, being organized defensively and keeping play in front of us,” Horner said. “We must also be able to possess the ball and ultimately convert on our chances in front of the goal.”
KEYS TO THE GAME
COMMUNICATE
Drake’s defense will have to communicate effectively to watch out for Creighton’s forwards, as Creighton has three scoring threats in Brittany Neumann, Kyla Hoskins and Emily Orbell, who have each scored four or more goals.
SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS
The Bulldogs are going up against one of the MVC’s best goalies in Alicia Montgomery, who leads the MVC in goals allowed average (.52) and save percentage (.885). Taking shots early and often will be important to test Montgomery.
SPREAD OFFENSE
Drake has a number of players who have proven they can put the ball in the back of the net, as seven different Bulldogs have netted goals so far this season. If the Bulldogs can move the ball around the field, they can catch the Bluejays off guard with scoring threats all over the pitch.
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