Box Score
BOX SCORE (PRINTABLE)

NORMAL, Ill. – The 2^nd seeded University of Evansville women's soccer team (11-5-3) defeated the 3^rd seeded Drake Bulldogs 2-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference semifinals on Friday evening.
 
The Purple Aces will now play the winner of Missouri State and Illinois State in the other MVC Semifinal match on Friday night. The Championship will also be held at Adelaid Street Field on the campus of Illinois State on Sunday, November 9, beginning at 1:00 p.m.
 
Evansville's sophomore midfielder Bronwyn Boswell and freshman midfielder/forward Montana Portenier both scored in the victory.
 
Junior goalkeeper Simone Busby notched her ninth solo shutout of the season, and program record setting 13^th team shutout of the year in the win.
 
"I'm very happy for our players that they have an opportunity to play for a big to the NCAAs," said UE head coach Krista McKendree. "This group is incredible and I couldn't be prouder."
 
Evansville set the tone early by outshooting Drake 12-4 in the opening half. The offensive push helped the Aces take the lead just before halftime with a goal in the 45^th minute. Freshman forward Nicki Baham passed it up to Boswell who scored with 42 seconds left in the first half. Boswell's ninth goal of the season gave UE the 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
 
Instead of focusing solely on defense with the one goal advantage, Evansville continued to push ahead for another goal.
 
The philosophy paid off for the Aces when junior forward Kayla Smith passed right to Portenier inside the half circle. Portenier deked past her defender and shot past goalkeeper Kylynn Moyer for the two goal lead. The goal was the third this season for Portenier.
 
The UE defense continued to thwart away any Drake chances during the remaining moments as Evansville held on for the win.
 
Boswell led the Aces offensively with seven shots in the match. Smith also notched five shots for Evansville. Portenier also had four shots (all on goal) in the victory.
 
Busby grabbed five saves in the Evansville win.