SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Drury battled Missouri Western to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday evening at Lake Country Soccer Complex in Springfield, with both goals coming in the opening minutes.
Drury opened the match with possession and quickly worked into the attacking third, drawing a foul to reset play. After moving the ball back and forth,
Danielle Buker found a cutting
Sunny Potter just outside the six-yard box. Potter took a few dribbles and fired past Serena Magaha for the game's first shot and goal in the 6th minute.
Missouri Western responded immediately. Off the kickoff, the Griffons advanced into the attacking third, where a foul inside the penalty area awarded them a penalty kick. Jaida Douch stepped up and went left; Drury goalkeeper
Katy Fitzler guessed correctly but the shot was just out of reach, tying the match only 14 seconds after Drury's opener.
The offensive pace continued through the first half, with each team adding five more shots. Drury put three on goal, including two from
Leah McDonald, while the Griffons had two more scoring chances but could not convert.
In the second half, Missouri Western -- known for its defensive strength -- applied offensive pressure, controlling much of the final 45 minutes with a shoot-often mentality. The Griffons took seven shots before Drury managed its first attempt of the half. Despite the volume, only two of Missouri Western's 11 second-half shots were on target, barely testing Fitzler. Drury mounted a late push in the final minute, but the Griffons' defense held firm, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
MATCH NOTES
- Missouri Western outshot Drury 17-11, with a 5-4 edge in shots on goal.
- The Griffons committed 15 fouls.
- Leah McDonald led Drury with two shots on goal; Jaida Douch also had two for Missouri Western.
- Sunny Potter's goal was the first of her career, coming in her first career start.
- Potter has now recorded points in back-to-back matches.
- Danielle Buker assisted Potter's goal, her first of the season and first since her freshman year.
- Katy Fitzler made four saves.
- Missouri Western has allowed just four goals this season.
- The Griffons remain unbeaten at 4-0-4.
- Drury and Missouri Western have drawn in consecutive seasons.
- Justin Olson's all-time record against MIAA opponents is now 5-4-4.
QUOTABLE
"I thought we had a really fast start," coach
Justin Olson said postgame. "They are a very tough team to score on, and I thought we did a great job staying composed on that first one. We just cannot give up a goal that quick after scoring."
"Missouri Western is a really good team," Potter said. "I think a game like this in non-conference can help us take another step into the game against Lewis." On her first career goal: "I had so much adrenaline going, I didn't even hear everyone cheering. I was just very excited."
UP NEXT
Drury returns to GLVC play with a road match at Lewis on Saturday, Sept. 26.
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