Photo: Joel Venzke
Senior forward Laura Moklestad’s golden goal lifted the Drake women’s soccer team (11-3-1, 2-0-1 MVC) over Evansville (2-7-3, 1-1-1 MVC) 1-0 on Sunday at Cownie Soccer Complex.
Senior Day festivities added excitement for Mokelstad, who scored at the 95-minute mark off an assist by sophomore forward Ashlie Stokes.
“That was really, really exciting,” Moklestad said. “It kind of made the day a lot more special, to be able to finish it off, to be able to get the golden goal and to be able to score for the rest of the team.”
The Bulldogs honored five seniors in Moklestad, midfielders Kelsey Pigg, Lauren Strickfaden, Tara Zika and forward Kasey Wellman.
Several Bulldogs boasted noteworthy performances on Sunday.
Junior goalkeeper Kalena Litch registered a game-high four saves.
On the offensive end, Stokes paced Drake with a game-high four shots. Junior forward Generve Charles tallied three shots.
Sunday’s victory improved first-place Drake to 2-0-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference. With an 11-3-1 overall record, Moklestad and the Bulldogs look to continue their MVC prowess.
“It was really important, especially a home game and a conference game,” Moklestad said. “We were just really going out there for the win and getting revenge from last year because Evansville beat us a couple times, so we were all just really pumped up. We had a great Senior Day, and we just want to continue to do well in conference.”
The Bulldogs face MVC rival Creighton tonight (Oct. 11) in Omaha, Neb. Although Creighton ranks last in the MVC at 0-2, Moklestad expects a dangerous Bluejays team.
“I think as a whole unit goes, they’ll be really ready to play,” she said. “They’ll be really fired up. It’s a home game, and they’re playing us. They haven’t won any games in conference, so I think they’re probably thinking this game is a must-win for them. We’re going to just go out there and be really focused through the whole 90 minutes.”
Without the Cownie Soccer Complex crowd, tonight’s high stakes will motivate Drake.
“That would make it even sweeter, just to go up there and beat them and at their stadium,” Moklestad said. “It’s a really nice stadium. So, going there, it’s just feeling the environment and the rivalry and playing really well and hopefully, getting the win out of that.”
Sunday’s victory over Evansville boosted Drake’s confidence entering tonight’s match.
“It’s always good going into a rivalry game off a win,” Litch said. “It wasn’t just a win, but also a shutout win. It’s always good because we know how tough Creighton can be even if they’re not at their best.”
Like Mokelstad, Litch anticipates a “chippy” Creighton team.
“They are our rivals, so you can’t underestimate them,” Litch said. “Even if they’re down, they’ll still put up a fight. I expect it to be another chippy match like against UNI because those are always how they are.”
Before the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championship opens on Oct. 28, the goal-oriented Bulldogs look to continue their winning ways.
“Our goal at the beginning of the season was to finish in the top four, so we didn’t have that first-round play-in game that we’ve had the past two years,” Litch said. “So, at this point, it positions us really well to succeed at that goal. If we just keep playing the way that we have been, we will fulfill it and hopefully get the top seed.”
Drake takes on Creighton at 7 p.m. tonight in Omaha, Neb.
