The 2015-16 season featured many thrilling moments and accomplishments for Drake athletics. From conference titles, outstanding team and individual accomplishments, postseason appearances and significant regular season victories, the Bulldogs had plenty to celebrate as they look forward to the upcoming season. Before embarking on 2016-17, www.GoDrakeBulldogs.com will take a look back at the top 10 moments of the 2015-16 throughout the months of July and August.
The No. 1 moment of 2015-16 comes from the men's soccer team back on Nov. 19, 2015 when redshirt junior
James Grunert scored the game-winning goal in the 74th minute as the Bulldogs won 2-1 over the Kentucky Wildcats in the first round of the 2015 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship.
Drake qualified for the NCAA Tournament after winning its second-ever MVC Tournament title by beating SIUE, 2-1, on Nov. 15, 2015.
"It was a very difficult game against an excellent outfit in Kentucky. It was a difficult two weeks coming off the MVC Tournament and then the quick turnaround to play that evening at Kentucky, but we are excited about the result and probably more excited about the performance tonight so very positive overall," said Drake head coach
Gareth Smith of his program's first win in the NCAA Championship since 2009.
The win over Kentucky sent Drake (13-4-3) to the second round of the Championship, where Drake faced a familiar foe and longtime rival in the Creighton Bluejays on Sunday, Nov. 22 in Omaha, Neb.
"It meant everything to us to be able to advance to the second round," said senior
Alec Bartlett. "Our team has been very resilient and battled all year. We have been able to wait on the opportunities and when they present themselves we have been able to capitalize."
Grunert's goal came off a beautiful cross by sophomore
Mason Leonard from the edge of the 18-yard box as Grunert was able to head it in far post. The goal is the third of the season for Grunert, and the first assist of the season for Leonard.
"We knew Kentucky was going to be really tough especially after they tied it," said Grunert. "We stayed patient and didn't get down on each other and helped each other out. I was lucky enough to be in position and Mason sent a perfect pass right into the box and we just stayed with it."
Bartlett scored the first goal of the contest in the 19th-minute (18:14). Junior
James Wypych sent a corner kick to the left edge of the box that hit Bartlett in the chest and was blocked by Kentucky goalie Callum Irving but Bartlett finished it for his second goal of the season.
Kentucky (12-5-2) answered with the equalizer just over a minute (19:39) later on its own corner kick as Kevin Barajas headed in ball to the far post by a diving
Darrin MacLeod. It was the first goal allowed by MacLeod and the Bulldogs defense since the regular season finale versus Bradley on Nov. 7. MacLeod finished with three saves in the game.
Drake was the more aggressive team in the opening half as the Bulldogs had 11 shots, including six on goal to just four and two for Kentucky. Drake ended the match with 15 shots led by Bartlett, sophomore
Gabe Edel and Grunert each finished with three shots each.
2015-16 featured many thrilling moments and accomplishments for Drake athletics to celebrate. Thank you for following on
www.GoDrakeBulldogs.com for the year's top 10 moments.
Bulldog Top 10 of 2015-16
No. 10 – McCann Wins Drake Relays Title
No. 9 – Women's Golf Wins Creighton Classic
No. 8 – Football Beats Rival Dayton
No. 7 – Softball's Newman Named MVC Pitcher Of The Year
No. 6 – Men's Tennis Beats No. 26 Oregon
No. 5 – Drake Earns MVC All-Academic Award For The Second Straight Year
No. 4 – Drake Breaks Ground On Rowing's Bright-Beckwith Boathouse
No. 3 – Women's Basketball's Earns NIT Win Over Sacred Heart
No. 2 – Women's Soccer Wins MVC Title
No. 1 – Men's Soccer Defeats Kentucky In NCAA First Round
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