MACOMB, Ill. - Despite holding the edge in shots, 14-12, the Western Illinois women's soccer team (2-5-1) suffered a 1-0 loss to the Drake Bulldogs (3-5-1) on Friday (Sept. 20) evening.
"Good battle with Drake today," Director of Soccer Dr. Eric Johnson said. "We played well and looked organized defensively. You have to score to win, however, and we didn't take our chances well. Hats off to drake for the shut-out."
The Leathernecks opened up the five-game homestand with seven shots in the first half. Emily Bollman started the afternoon with a shot that missed wide right just 28 seconds into the match. WIU fired three straight shots on goal but were all saved by Vianey Lopez and Kelsie Stone.
After chance by Zoe Clarke sailed over the goal at the 57-minute mark, Drake put together the lone goal of the evening. Libby Helverson found Vanessa Kavan in the box who fired a shot that hit the near post and bounced into the bottom right corner at the 59th minute for the eventual game-winner.
Ines Palmiero Herrera held the Bulldogs scoreless with four saves in the first half. The senior added one more save for her 219th career save to tie Katherine Hill (1997-98) for fourth all-time.
The Leathernecks limited the opportunities by the Bulldogs in the second set of 45' without a foul.
Elainya Hawkins recorded her first shot in the Purple and Gold but was saved by Stone in the final seconds of the first half.
Western regroups and hosts Northern Iowa on Sunday (Sept. 22) with a 1 p.m. kick-off.
