Box Score

BOX SCORE

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville women's soccer team opened Missouri Valley Conference play with a 1-0 win over visiting Drake on a rainy Sunday afternoon at Arad McCutchan Stadium.  Freshman Emily Richardson scored her first career goal and the Purple Aces' defense held strong against 18 Bulldog shots to record the shutout.
 
Evansville (8-2-1, 1-0-0 MVC) upped its unbeaten streak to seven games with the win and sophomore goalkeeper Simone Busby recorded three saves, in addition to thwarting several Drake (2-7-2, 0-1-0 MVC) cross attempts to post her fourth shutout of the year. 
 
The Bulldogs controlled possession for much of the match and outshot the Aces, 18-14, including an 8-3 margin in the first half.  DU also earned seven corner kicks to UE's five.
 
Richardson scored the lone goal of the contest in the 11th minute, as she collected a loose ball at the top of the 18, before making a quick turn and firing a shot into the upper, right corner of the net.
 
Evansville's back line was tested for much of the rest of the afternoon, as Drake created several scoring chances, including a pair of open looks at goal in the opening 45 minutes by Ashlie Stokes and Rebecca Rodgers.  Stokes' shot was turned away by a diving save from Busby and Rodgers missed wide right on a 1-v-1 opportunity.
 
The Bulldogs continued to push forward in the second half, attempting 10 shots, but putting just one on frame.  UE attempted 11 shots in the second stanza, forcing DU goalkeeper Andrea Swanson to make four saves.
 
Senior Lauren Tiernan and sophomore Kayla Smith each tallied three shots to lead Evansville offensively, while Stokes led all players with six shots for Drake.
 
The Aces will continue Valley play next Saturday, Oct. 6, when they head to Cedar Falls, Iowa for a 1 p.m. match against Northern Iowa.