higgins_emporia
Josh Clark, Drury Sports Communications
1
Emporia St. ESU (0-0-1, 0-0-0)
1
Drury DRU (0-0-1, 0-0-0)
Emporia St. ESU
(0-0-1, 0-0-0)
1
Final
1
Drury DRU
(0-0-1, 0-0-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Emporia St. ESU 1 0 1
Drury DRU 0 1 1

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | | Drury Athletics Media Relations

Women's Soccer Earns Draw After Higgins’ 83rd-Minute Equalizer

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Melissa Higgins' 83rd-minute goal lifted Drury to a 1-1 draw against Emporia State in the Panthers' 2026 season opener.
 
Emporia State controlled possession early, setting the tone for the first 30 minutes of play. The Hornets struck first in the 18th minute on a goal from Megan Kephart, assisted by Avery Zimmerman from 15 yards out.
 
After the early goal, Drury settled in and generated three shots in the final 15 minutes of the opening half. Caroline Dinnon produced the Panthers' best first-half chance, hitting the right woodwork in the 34th minute.
 
Only four combined shots were taken in the first 30 minutes of the second half, including two on goal from Emporia State.
 
Drury found the equalizer in the 83rd minute when Leah McDonald forced a turnover in the attacking third, setting up Higgins for her first career goal.
 
The Panthers' late push fell short of a winner, but Drury secured the 1-1 draw to open the season.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
  • Melissa Higgins' goal was the first of her career. It was assisted by Leah McDonald, her sixth career assist.
  • Higgins led Drury with two shots. Keira Love, Calli Watson, Regan Hegarty, Carly Swan, and Caroline Dinnon each recorded one shot.
  • Emporia State outshot Drury 9-7, including a 4-2 advantage in shots on goal.
  • Katy Fitzler recorded three saves for the Panthers.
  • Drury had four corner kicks, one more than Emporia State.
  • Rebeka Gaal and Higgins made their first career starts.
  • Gaal, Higgins, Sam McClain, and Carly Swan appeared in their first career Drury matches.
  • The all-time record between Drury and Emporia State now sits at 3-2-2.
  • Drury's season opener record moves to 20-12-4.
  • It was the first draw under Justin Olson in season openers, 5-1-1.
  • The match marked the start of Drury's tenure at Lake Country Soccer Complex.
 
QUOTABLE
"Nerves definitely got us in the first half across the board," coach Justin Olson said post game. "As the game went on, we settled in and started to apply more pressure, eventually leading to the late goal."
 
UP NEXT
Drury stays home to face Central Missouri on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
 
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