DRURY WOMEN'S SOCCER
Drury Panthers (0-0) at Delta State Lady Statesmen (0-0)
Thur., Aug. 26, Noon, Cleveland, Miss. 
 
Panthers open 2022 season at Delta State
2021 was a historic season for the Drury women's soccer team, and the squad looks to launch their sequel season on Thursday when they open 2022 at Delta State in Cleveland, Mississippi. Kickoff is at noon.
 
Drury reached the NCAA-II Tournament for the first time since 2007 last year and advanced to the second round. The Panthers went 16-5-1, 10-3-1 in the GLVC and won the league tournament championship. Drury is picked to win the conference in the GLVC's preseason coaches' poll released earlier this week.
 
The Panthers return 25 letter winners, including last year's GLVC Offensive Player of the Year, junior Elsa Gonzalez, and the league's Freshman of the Year, Tara Simon. Gonzalez scored 11 goals last season and racked up 26 points, while Simon scored five goals in her first collegiate campaign. Senior goalkeeper Kaitlin Knetzke also returns after posting a 15-5-1 record and one of the nation's fourth-best goals against average at 0.42. Her 14 shutouts led all keepers in Division II.
 
Delta State went 8-7-3 last year and 8-3-2 in the Gulf South Conference. The Lady Statesmen are picked to finish fifth in the GSC in that conference's preseason poll.
 
Drury won last year's meeting with a 2-0 victory at Harrison Stadium on Sept. 5, 2021. The Panthers got goals from Krysten Schuster and Gonzalez, while Knetzke made three saves in the win. Delta State was ranked 19^th nationally at the time.
 
Following Thursday's game, the Panthers go back on the road as they travel to Northwest Missouri State for a game on Sunday at 1 pm. 

QUICK FACTS
Stat Leaders (top returners from 2021)
Drury: #7 Elsa Gonzalez (11g-4a – 26 pts), #18 Tara Simon (5g-1a—11 pts), #3 Keely Combs (1g-7a—9 pts), #1 Kaitlin Knetzke (15-5-1, 0.42 GAA, .842 sv pct)
Delta St.: #24 Jae'lasha Julien (5g-1a—11 pts)
 
Head Coaches
Drury: Justin Olson (3^rd year, 21-11-4/10^th year, 62-70-10) 
Delta St.: Mark Hiller (3^rd year, 15-8-5)      
 
Streak
Drury: season opener
Delta St.: season opener
 
Last meeting
Drury won 2-0 vs. Delta St., Sept. 5, 2021 at Harrison Stadium
 
All-time series 
Drury 1-0 vs. Delta St.

 
#allweDUiswin