DES MOINES, IA - Western Illinois University women's soccer kicked off their seventh match of the season on Sunday afternoon, taking on Drake. While the Leathernecks were looking for their first point of the season, Drake entered the match without a win, having recently drawn Green Bay one-all on Thursday.

The Bulldogs got a pair of goals in the first period as they peppered the Leatherneck goal with shot attempts. Drake recorded 14 shot attempts in the first 45 minutes, with six of those being on goal as keeper Ariel Bernard tallied four first-half saves. Western made it out of the first period without a shot attempt and lost the corner battle 6-0 in the first. 

In the second, it was more of the same for the Leathernecks, as Drake kept firing away at the WIU net, but the Leatherneck defense held strong. 

Ten minutes into the second half, senior Alexis Betker broke away in the right half-space and fired a shot from nearly 30 yards out. It soared right into the opposite top corner, an impossible attempt for the keeper to save on just about a perfect shot. Betker's goal was the first of her Leatherneck career, finishing her 2024 debut with 45 minutes played. 

Sadly for the Leathernecks, Betker's rocket was the only shot attempt of the match for the squad in purple. Drake's defense was stout to end the match, preventing any build-up play from WIU's side. The two-to-one score held until the final whistle, as Drake picked up their first win of the season, while the Leathernecks ended the non-conference slate without a point.

Western Illinois women's soccer will take on Lindenwood next Sunday, opening OVC play in St. Charles. 

FOLLOW THE LEATHERNECKS
For all the latest information on Leatherneck Women's Soccer, please visit GoLeathernecks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Leathernecks on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.