DES MOINES, Iowa – The Missouri State women's soccer team picked up its first Missouri Valley Conference win of the season as Sierra Fury's 52nd minute goal lifted the Bears to a 1-0 victory over Drake.
Fury provided the only score of the game off a pass from Anna Durnin that was intended for Emma Skornia as Fury corralled the pass on the right side of the box before shooting it past Drake goalkeeper Kelsie Stone. The goal was Fury's first of her collegiate career and the Bears' eighth this season. Bryn McQuaid was also credited for an assist as she sent a deep cross to Durnin.
"We had an excellent performance today under challenging conditions," Missouri State head women's soccer coach Rob Brewer said. "On the road, with temperatures in the mid 30's and strong winds all day. We had very solid defense and an opportunistic finish by Sierra Fury who got forward from her outside back position. She was outstanding in every phase of the game."
MSU had the advantage of mother nature in the first half as they had a 35 mile-per-hour wind at their backs. Missouri State was aggressive on the attack coming out of the gates as the Bears tallied four shots in the first 20 minutes of play. The MSU backline did not give the Bulldogs many chances for looks in the first half as Drake totaled just one shot which sailed wide right of the goal.
Kaitlin Maxwell exhibited why she is a two-time MVC Goalkeeper of the Year when she made an impressive acrobatic save, deflecting the Bulldogs Hannah Bormann's shot in the 59th minute to keep the hosts off the board.
Overall, MSU outshot the Bulldogs,10-6 and 4-2 in shots on goal, while finishing with a 2-2 tie in corner kicks.
Maxwell was solid in just her second game back from injury as the senior keeper made two saves – both of which came in the second half – on her way to a clean sheet. Drake's Kelsie Stone totaled three saves on the day while allowing one goal.
"Jacqueline Baetz and Anna Durnin played well in the middle of the field," Brewer added. "Emma Skornia. Kate Schroeder and Kara Privitera were all strong up front. Kaitlin Maxwell earned the shutout with help from our back line of Isabel Burke, Kyli Jackson, Bryn McQuaid and Fury."
The Bears (3-6-2, 1-3-1 MVC) will be back in action again on Saturday as they resume Missouri Valley Conference play at Valparaiso (2-3-4, 1-2-3 MVC). Kickoff is set for Noon and the match will be televised on either ESPN3.
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