ASHLAND, Ohio – Drury takes down top-seeded host Ashland, 1-0, on Sunday, November 24, in the NCAA-II Midwest Semifinals to advance to the third round of the national tournament.
 
A physical first half left both teams scoreless at the break. Drury controlled a majority of the possession in the first 45 minutes. Ashland had two prime opportunities off of corner kicks, but the Panthers' defense took away those opportunities. The Eagles did register two shots on goals in the half, resulting in saves by Katy Fitzler.
 
With the time dwindling in the first half, Ashland fouls Drury just outside the 18-yard box. This foul gave Ines Villanueva Casal an ideal look at the net. Her shot would be sniffed out by Mackenzie Simon for the save.
 
A change in the net for Ashland in the second half does not pay off. Two minutes into the half, Elena Perez gives the Panthers a set piece 25 yards out. She takes the kick and finds Bella Hernandez, who heads it off the post and in for her fourth goal of the season.
 
After the goal from Drury, Ashland would have to pick up the pace offensively, taking nine shots in the final 43 minutes of the game. The Panther defense and Katy Fitzler would be in the right place for all nine of those shots, not allowing a single one to cross the end line, giving Drury the 1-0 win over the nationally ranked third Eagles.
 
Holland Hawkins led Drury with two shots. Perez was credited with an assist on the Hernandez goal. The biggest story of the game was Katy Fitzler. Fitzler, facing an Ashland team that was +47 in goal differential coming into the day, saved three shots in the game. The biggest came with three minutes left when the Eagles' leading point scorer, McKinley Mendenhall, took a shot that was saved by Fitzler and then rebounded for another shot that was blocked by Andrea Camargo.
 
This is the second time in program history that Drury has reached the regional championship, with the only other appearance in 2007. The win for Drury gives Justin Olson his 100th career win. Fitzler throwing another shutout gives her 14 on the season, tying the Drury single-season record, set by her predecessor Kaitlin Knetzke in 2021.
 
Drury will now advance to play Grand Valley State in the NCAA-II Midwest Regional Championship on December 1 in Allendale, Michigan. The winner of that game will square off with the winner of Minnesota State and Central Missouri with a bid to the final four up for grabs.
 
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