Katie Gaal
GoSycamores.Com
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. ? The Indiana State Sycamores (3-13-0, 1-4 MVC) could not get over their 0-6 slump against the Drake Bulldogs (8-8-1, 4-1 MVC) as they lost their fourth Missouri Valley Conference matchup this season. The Bulldogs scored two goals in the first half and one in the second to defeat the Sycamores on Senior Day 3-0.
It started off looking good for the home team as the Sycamores had two clear opportunities to put themselves on the scoreboard. Twice, Alison Gasparovich found Seyma Erenli in the box who nearly put away two goals. The first time, Bulldog keeper Jenny Schroeder denied Erenli as she made a diving save to the right post to keep the game scoreless. About a minute later, a leaping Erenli just barely missed getting a head on another cross from Gasparovich and wound up in the back of the net, narrowly missing the goalpost.
Drake's Melissa Lewis scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal at 13:58. Lewis hit a shot from just outside the top of the 18 yard box that went right over Sycamore goalkeeper Emily Lahay. The goal was assisted by Blair Nelson and Danielle Figliola.
Less than three minutes to go before halftime, Drake extended their lead thanks to Crystal Townley who hit a shot similar to the first goal. Townley freed herself from Sycamore defenders after receiving a pass from Elizabeth Woerle and took a shot from two yards inside the top of the 18 to give her team a 2-0 lead.
At halftime, it seemed the Sycamores out-possessed the Bulldogs but could not finish their scoring opportunities. The Bulldogs had the advantage on shots, 12-8.
In a game that saw eight total yellow cards (five in the second half) including 40 fouls, the intensity and aggressiveness picked up in the second half. The Sycamores were awarded three corner kicks compared to none for the Bulldogs but just could not finish.
Amanda Wallace was credited with the third and final Bulldog goal after teammate Melissa Lewis, the first goal scorer, went 1-on-1 with Sycamore goalkeeper Taylor Nelson. Nelson denied Lewis initially and after a scramble in the box, Wallace finished the leftovers and the Bulldogs walked away with a 3-0 victory.
The Sycamores best chance in the second half came with about 6 minutes left to go in the game. Erenli found Jessica Rosenberg in the box who had a shot from point-blank range but Schroeder came up big to preserve the shutout.
Drake outshot the Sycamores 25-15. Sycamore goalkeepers Lahay and Nelson made a combined 20 saves. Nelson made an excellent save with about 17 minutes left in the game when she made a diving stop to deny the Bulldogs from scoring a fourth goal.
Regular-season play will conclude on October 31, when the Sycamores play an 8:00 p.m. game at Missouri State.
