DES MOINES, IOWA Six Drake mens soccer players are helping the Des Moines Menace of the Premier Development League (PDL) enjoy a successful summer.
Jesse Baker (Liberty, Mo.),
Chris Hamburger (Lincoln, Neb.), Blake Siberz (Urbandale),
Luke Frieberg (Norwalk),
Corey Farabi (Overland Park, Kan.) and incoming freshman Reid Baker (Johnston) have helped the Menace advance to the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup where they face the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer Wednesday.
The PDL has provided great opportunities for collegiate players to develop during the summer months, said Drake head coach Sean Holmes. Our guys have really enjoyed playing for Casey Mann (Menace head coach). The experience they get from both the league and the cup should really pay off for us this fall.
The Menace are 14-3-1, having just won the PDL Central Conference Championship. Along with their success within the league, the team has advanced to the fourth round of the US Open Cup by defeating three professional teams. The Menace tied the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the United Soccer League (USL) Second Division 1-1 in the first round, prevailing 4-2 in penalty kicks. They then topped the Charleston Battery (USL First Division) 3-2 in the second round. The Menace are the only amateur team remaining of the 16 teams still playing in the championship.
The US Open Cup, recognized as the US Soccer Federations National Championship, is an annual competition open to all amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with US Soccer.
The Menace also have been dominating the PDL, downing the Michigan Bucks, 4-1, last Saturday to win the PDL Central Conference Championship.
Jesse Baker netted the game-winning goal in the 39th minute. The Menace host the Orange County Blue Star in the PDL semifinals Saturday (Aug. 6) at 7:30.
The Menace and Drake soccer have formed a great bond over the years. Former Drake mens soccer player Matt Bourne is a currently on the roster, while former Menace stars include Matt Nickell, now with the D.C. United; Ezra Hendrickson, now with the Chivas USA; Aaron Leventhal, formerly with the Minnesota Thunder; Menace legend Seth Modersohn; and Adam Zenor, two-time Drake Academic All-American who will be attending law school at the University of Iowa this fall.
