DES MOINES, IOWA ? The Drake men's soccer squad scored two goals in the last 20 minutes of regulation to earn a 2-2 double overtime tie with UMKC in its final non-conference match of the campaign, on a rainy Wednesday night at Drake Stadium.

“I am somewhat conflicted by my emotions,” said Drake head coach Sean Holmes. “I was furious with the way we played in the first half and the inexcusable goal that we gave up. But I was excited by the way we responded after halftime and essentially dominated the last 50 minutes of play.

Sophomore Luke Gorczyca (Overland Park, Kan.) ended Drake's near 70 minute draught when he took a feed from his brother Keith Gorczyca (Overland Park, Kan.) and sophomore Calvin Clark (Overland Park, Kan.). Gorczyca fielded a ricochet off Kangaroos goalkeeper Ken Cooper and fired a shot into the middle of the goal in the middle of the box to move Drake within one goal, 2-1.

“Perhaps the highlight of the game was getting Keith Gorzyca back and getting him a good long run to get him back to fitness, we will need his competitive, tigerish personality in the homestretch,” added Holmes.

Freshman Matt Kuhn (Raytown, Mo.) took a feed from Garrett Webb (Prairie Vallage, Kan.) and one-timed a shot to the near post scoring Drake's second goal in the 79th minute (78:43). Drake took five shots in both the first and second periods to outshoot UMKC, 14-7.

“Freshman Charlie Schwartz and Matt Kuhn really rose to the occasion and given the youth of our team, we always need some freshmen to step up to the plate,” said Holmes.

The Bulldogs had two quality chances in the second overtime period, but were unable to net the winning goal. Drake held UMKC to only two shots in overtime to earn the tie.

“Once again, I thought Luke Frieberg was a fantastic leader at the back and Julien Edwards continued to be a solid presence,” commented Holmes.

UMKC scored their first goal in the ninth minute when John Bayron Sosa took advantage of a miscue from Drake goalkeeper Phillip Breuer (Port Washington, Wis.) who let the wet ball slip through his grasp. Sosa took the shot into the open net, to give the Kangaroos the 1-0 advantage.

Brian Harris made Breuer miss and scored the second goal into an empty net. Breuer dove one way and Harris went the other to take the 2-0 advantage.

Drake had a difficult time dealing with the rainy conditions and the physical play of UMKC. The Kangaroos committed 16 fouls, while Drake had 15.

“With the weather and the surface it was a bit of an awkward night. And many of our most reliable players looked like they were in a midterm funk. Ultimately I am glad that we were able to salvage a point on the night,” concluded Holmes.

UMKC was whistled nine times for offsides, while the Bulldogs were called off sides only twice.

Sophomore Kevin Shrout (Lees Summit, Mo.) led the Bulldogs attack with four shots.

Drake improved to 8-3-3 on the season, while UMKC moved to 5-5-3. The Bulldogs return to action on Saturday when they host Missouri Valley Conference foe Western Kentucky in a 7 p.m. match.



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