DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University men's soccer program released its 2018 schedule, head coach Gareth Smith, announced Monday, July 9. Drake will prepare for the 2018 campaign with three preseason exhibition contests before it plays 16 regular season matches.
 
Drake opens the regular season with a home match against Oral Roberts on Aug. 24 at the Cownie Soccer Complex. The Bulldogs then travel to Butler on Aug. 27 before returning to Cownie to host UIC on Aug. 31.
 
Drake visits UMKC on Sept. 4 followed by a home contest against DePaul on Sept. 7. The Bulldogs then have three consecutive road games, Western Michigan (Sept. 9), Tulsa (Sept. 15) and Loyola (Sept. 22). The Bulldogs' first MVC match against the Ramblers will be followed by home matches against Western Illinois and Central Arkansas on Sept. 26 and Sept. 29, respectively, to end the month.
 
Drake welcomes Omaha on Oct. 6 for a non-conference match to start October. The Bulldogs then have back-to-back road games against Evansville (Oct. 13) and Northern Illinois (Oct. 16). Drake then hosts Bradley on Oct. 20 and Missouri State on Oct. 27 to end its home slate. The Bulldogs visit Valparaiso on Nov. 3 to finish the regular season.
 
The 2018 MVC Tournament will be hosted by Evansville from Nov. 7-11.
 
Drake will prepare for the regular season with three home exhibition matches against in-state opponents, Iowa Western (Aug. 12), Iowa Central (Aug. 15) and Graceland (Aug. 17).