A Rain‑Soaked Battle at Stewart Field
The 2026 season’s second outing for the Drake women’s soccer team turned into a marathon after a nearly two‑and‑a‑half hour delay caused by lightning over Stewart Field in Colorado Springs. When play finally resumed, the Bulldogs and Colorado College traded chances, but it was the Tigers who struck first.
Ella Ashouri stepped up to convert a penalty in the 57th minute, delivering the match‑winning goal that settled the contest at 1‑0. While Drake recorded five shots compared with Colorado College’s three, the Bulldogs managed only one shot on target, whereas the Tigers posted two.
Goalkeeper Kate Hopma kept the Tigers in contention with four saves, but the defensive unit could not contain the relentless pressure from the Colorado side. Freshman Alexa Aylward and senior Paige Millstone each tested the defense, with Millstone leading the team with three attempts, one of which forced a save.
Coach Lindsey Horner’s Assessment
Head coach Lindsey Horner acknowledged the team’s defensive lapses in the second half, noting that missed opportunities and a lack of composure under pressure cost the Bulldogs dearly. "We created chances, but we need to be sharper in the final third and tighter at the back," Horner said after the match.
The performance highlighted both the promise and the growing pains of a young squad that includes several first‑year players such as Alma Beaton, Zoey Mahoney, and Alexa Aylward, all of whom contributed multiple shots throughout the game.
Looking Ahead to Iowa State
Drake will host Iowa State in their next home fixture on August 20 at 5 p.m., a game that could serve as a pivotal moment for the Bulldogs to regroup and showcase the progress they have made since the Colorado College loss. The upcoming match arrives after a stretch of three consecutive tough road contests, giving the team a chance to fine‑tune the lessons learned on the field.