ST. LOUIS – Fifth-seeded Drury advanced to the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Championship in dramatic fashion, defeating eighth-seeded Missouri S&T in a penalty shootout, 4–2, after a 1–1 draw through 110 minutes.
 
Looking to continue their Cinderella run, Missouri S&T came out firing. The Miners generated an early shot and then struck in the 17th minute with a set-piece goal off a corner from Grace Kohler.
 
Drury wasted no time responding. Off the kickoff, the Panthers controlled possession before Keira Love found Holland Hawkins in stride. Hawkins raced past the S&T keeper and calmly slotted home the equalizer.
 
After the quick exchange of goals, both teams settled into more defensive shapes, though the Miners still managed six more shots to Drury's one for the remainder of the half.
 
The second half continued in a similar fashion, except Drury's offense found more rhythm, firing eight shots to match the Miners' total. Despite the increased pressure, both goalkeepers held strong, sending the match to overtime tied at one.
 
Eight minutes into overtime, Drury earned a penalty, but Keira Love's low attempt was turned away by a diving save from Anastasia Barcom.
 
In the final 10 minutes, Elena Perez fired a 20-yard free kick on target, but Barcom again came up with the stop, pushing the match to a shootout.
 
S&T won the coin toss and elected to shoot first, immediately testing GLVC Keeper of the Year Katy Fitzler. The Miners converted their opening attempt, and Anna Harris answered with a composed finish to keep things level.
 
Missouri S&T missed its second kick, setting up Baylea Davis with a chance to give Drury the lead. Davis approached slowly and buried her shot for a 2–1 advantage.
 
Ella Kramer responded for the Miners to keep the pressure on. Freshman Caroline Dinnon stepped up next and went left while Barcom dove right, restoring Drury's lead at 3–2.
 
Allie Workman stepped up for S&T but shot straight ahead, allowing Fitzler to make the save and bring up Leah McDonald with the chance to clinch it. McDonald delivered, securing the 4–2 shootout win and sending the Miners home.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
• Drury advances to its first GLVC Final since 2021 and the third in program history.
• Holland Hawkins scored her seventh goal of the season and third career postseason goal.
• Keira Love assisted Hawkins' goal—the duo's third assist-to-goal combination in their GLVC Tournament careers.
• Drury's last trip to a shootout was the 2023 GLVC Quarterfinal vs. Illinois Springfield, which the Panthers won 5–4.
• Drury went a perfect 4-for-4 in the shootout—the first time in program history the Panthers did not miss a PK in a shootout.
• Shots finished 19–18 in favor of S&T, while Drury held a 10–7 advantage in shots on goal.
• Drury is now 9-9-4 all-time in the GLVC Tournament.
• Justin Olson is 1-2-1 in GLVC Semifinal matches; the program is now 3-2-1 overall.
• Olson is 5-3-2 all-time in GLVC Tournament play.
• Drury's unbeaten streak extends to 12 matches (7-0-5).
• Six Panthers played all 110 minutes: Katy Fitzler, Haley Inscoe, Danielle Buker, Anna Harris, Bailey Snyder, and Leah McDonald.
• Fitzler recorded six saves.
• Kadence Krempges led Drury with three shots on goal; Perez and Hawkins added two each.
 
QUOTABLE
"What a battle," said head coach Justin Olson. "Believe was the message going into the shootout, and that's exactly what we did."
 
When asked about advancing to his second GLVC Final, Olson added, "Proud. We've worked all season, and it's a privilege to be back."
 
Captain defender Anna Harris said, "I'm extremely excited to make the championship. We have good momentum moving forward." On taking Drury's first PK, she added, "I knew that if I did exactly what I always do, I could bury it and set the example."
 
UP NEXT
Drury will face the winner of Maryville vs. McKendree in the GLVC Championship on Nov. 16 at noon.
 
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