ST. LOUIS – Fifth-seeded Drury won the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Championship Sunday, defeating second-seed McKendree in a penalty shootout, 3–2, after a 0–0 draw through 110 minutes.

No. 19 McKendree came out hot, beginning the game with three early shots. The Panthers responded in the 17^th minute with a shot from Holland Hawkins, followed by two chances from Kadence Krempges in the 20^th and 22^nd minutes.

The Bearcats regained momentum in the 25th minute, firing off two quick shots. Both teams continued to battle for opportunities in the first half, but neither team could break the deadlock before the halftime whistle.

Drury pushed forward early in the second half, with Kadence Krempges and Keira Love forcing saves from the McKendree goalkeeper in the 46^th and 49^th minutes. Holland Hawkins added another shot in the 50^th minute.
 
McKendree answered with four shots, with two on target, in four minutes, but GLVC Goalkeeper of the Year Katy Fitzler saved two of them to keep the match level.
 
Katy Fitzler continued to show her class, tipping away a shot aimed for the top-right corner in the 62^nd minute. Baylea Davis and Holland Hawkins had strikes on target in the 68^th and 76^th minutes, which were both stopped by the Bearcats' goalie. 
 
Each side continued to create chances and fire off shots, but neither team could find a goal. The full-time whistle blew, and the teams entered overtime at a 0-0 stalemate.
 
Three minutes into overtime, Katy Fitzler prevented another goal. Kadence Krempges and Keira Love found chances in the 95^th and 98^th minutes, but couldn't find the target. The second overtime period was quiet again, with only one shot from each side. 
 
Drury entered its second straight penalty shootout of the tournament. The Panthers elected to shoot first, and Anna Harris buried her penalty to take an early advantage. The Bearcats converted their first attempt to level the playing field. 
 
The game took a turn for the worse as the Panthers missed their next two shots, and McKendree took a 2-1 advantage as they stepped up to take their third shot. 
 
When the match looked over, Katy Fitzler refused to lose, as she saved the Bearcats' next penalty. Leah McDonald stepped up and leveled the match 2-2.

McKendree stepped up again, but Katy Fitzler stepped up too, with another save to keep it 2-2. Keira Love shot next for Drury and struck the ball into the back of the net.
 
With the game on the line, Katy Fitzler produced her third save of the shootout to seal the 3-2 win on penalties, giving the Panthers their third GLVC Tournament Championship in history and an automatic bid into the NCAA National Tournament. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drury wins the GLVC Tournament for the third time in program history.
• The Panthers win the GLVC Tournament for the first time since 2021. 
• Today's win earned Drury an automatic bid into the NCAA National Tournament.
• Drury wins its second straight shootout, 3-2.
• Katy Fitzler produced three saves in the penalty shootout and nine through regulation.
• Holland Hawkins led the Panthers in shots with five; Kadence Krempges and Keira Love each tallied four.
• Five Panthers featured all 110 minutes: Katy Fitzler, Haley Inscoe, Danielle Buker, Anna Harris, and Leah McDonald.
• Four Panthers earned GLVC All-Tournament honors: Katy Fitzler, Haley Inscoe, Holland Hawkins, and Leah McDonald.
• McKendree led in total shots (24-18) and shots on target (9-6).
• Drury is now 10-9-4 all-time in the GLVC Tournament.
• Justin Olson is 6-3-2 all-time in GLVC Tournament play, and 2-0 in GLVC Tournament Finals.
• Olson is 5-4-1 against nationally ranked opponents after today's win over No. 19 McKendree.

• Drury's unbeaten streak extends to 13 matches (7-0-6). 

QUOTABLE
"I'm happy, proud, and everything above", said head coach Justin Olson. "It took a while to get to where we want, but I hope the girls believe now, and we are excited to see who we play in a week."
 
Captain Anna Harris added, "We do it for each other. We step up in big moments, and we showed that today." 
 
Forward Holland Hawkins said, "We had to dig deep. It was now or never. We played for each other this weekend, and we believe we have something special here."
 
GLVC Goalkeeper of the Year, Katy Fitzer, said, "It's an amazing feeling. The whole team stepped up and made the crucial kicks we needed to win."
 
UP NEXT
Drury will learn its NCAA Tournament matchup during the selection show on Monday, Nov. 17, at 5:30 p.m.

FOLLOW THE PANTHERS
For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Panthers on drurypanthers.com. For all the latest information on Drury athletics, please visit Instagram, Facebook , and X.