In a fundraiser game entitled “KICK Cancer,” it was Danielle Figliola’s head that made the difference – literally.
Figliola’s header in double overtime found the back of the net for the golden goal in Drake’s 2-1 victory over Indiana State last Friday at Cownie Soccer Complex.
Figliola scored her first goal of the season in the 85th minute to tie the game at one. Her second goal of the year was one of Drake’s most important tallies of the season.
The Bulldogs notched their first conference win of the season to move to 1-1-0 in the Missouri Valley and 3-5-4 overall. The Sycamores fell to 3-9-0 and 0-2-0 in the MVC.
“We knew tonight was going to be important coming home after a long road swing for us, (and) as we like to say, ‘Defend Cownie,’” Drake head coach Lindsey Horner said in a Drake athletics press release. “Getting three points at home in conference will be important for us as all the games in our league will be tight. Indiana State beat us last year in double overtime, so we sort of had that in the back of our heads all week going into training.”
Drake outshot Indiana State 21-9, with sophomore goalkeeper Kalena Litch registering five saves. The Sycamores opened up the scoring with a goal by Shelby Troyer in the 59th minute.
After Indiana State’s goal and for most of the second half, the Bulldog offense put plenty of pressure on the Sycamore defense. Drake finally broke through for a goal with Figliola’s late tally, which was set up by sophomore Paige Dusek.
“I thought we did a good job possessing the ball and moving it side to side and trying to attack down the flank,” Horner said. “We weren’t getting on the end of our service in the first half, and then we gave up an early goal against the run of play.”
Figliola paced the Bulldogs with a career-high nine shots. Junior Laura Moklestad added four.
“We finally found some rhythm,” senior defender Melanie Fielder said. “We were getting good service across the box and moving the ball well in the final third (of the field).”
Drake donned purple jerseys for the “KICK Cancer” event to raise cancer awareness. The Bulldogs raised $475 for the American Cancer Society in pregame sales for its Wall of Honor, and then collected $445 in a pregame clinic to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
“We love being home,” Fielder said. “We love the support we get out at Cownie (Soccer Complex). The fact that we came back to win in double overtime was exciting and a great feeling…We raised a ton of money and took care of business on the field after falling down a goal.”
The Bulldogs head to Missouri State this Friday to take on the Bears at 7 p.m. Drake returns home for a quick turnaround game on Sunday, hosting Cal State Bakersfield at 1 p.m. at Cownie Soccer Complex.
NEXT GAME
FRIDAY, OCT. 7
@ Missouri State, 7 p.m.
Springfield, Mo.
