OCT. 18, 2008
DES MOINES, IOWA -- Senior midfielder Ryan Moylan (Wauwatosa, Wis.) had a goal and an assist to power the No. 24 ranked Drake men's soccer team to a 3-1 Missouri Valley Conference victory past Eastern Illinois Saturday night at the Cownie Soccer Complex.
Drake, which was also ranked No. 3 in the Midwest Regional poll, improved its record to 10-3, including a 2-0 league mark.
Eastern Illinois, which was rated No. 10 in the latest Midwest Region rankings, slipped to 5-6-3.
It marked the first time a Bulldog team had achieved 10 victories in a season since the 2003 squad, under coach Sean Holmes, posted a 10-6-3 record.
"We played with more resolve and more energy tonight," said Holmes. "I was pleased how we took control of the game from the outset. We had stressed the importance of not giving up points in league home games."
Moylan and junior Luke Gorczyca (Overland Park, Kan.) had assists to set up Drake's first goal in the 24th minute when freshman Hunter Kennedy (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) had a header.
Moylan gave Drake a 2-0 lead on a penalty kick at the 65:42 mark.
With the goal and assist Moylan, Drake's lone senior starter, has scored 11 points this fall, to surpass his combined career scoring total of 10 points entering the season.
Drake dominated play, outshooting Eastern Illinois, 23-4, including an 8-0 margin in the first half.
"Across the whole board it was a total team effort," Holmes added. "Everyone responded and picked up their game."
Sophomore Matt Kuhn (Raytown, Mo.) rounded out Drake's scoring with his first goal of the season, off a feed from junior Kevin Shrout (Lee's Summit, Mo.) at the 84:18 mark.
"Moylan played well," said Holmes. "Kuhn has had to play the whole season out of position so it was nice for him to score."
Junior forward Garrett Webb (Prairie Village, Kan.) had a team-high eight shots for Drake, including two shots on goal.
"Webb was terrific up front. He took loads of abuse. Our outside backs Nick Foster and Brian Wurst played great," Holmes added.
Kennedy recorded four shots, while Gorczyca had three shots.
Sophomore goalkeeper Michael Drozd (Hartwood Heights, Ill.) earned his ninth win this season to move into a tie for fourth on the Drake single season goalkeeping victory list with Zack Brennan (2002) and Phillip Breuer (2007).
The Panthers, who have failed to win in their last six matches, dropped to 0-2 in the MVC.
Drake will close out its home campaign this Wednesday, facing Bradley in a 7 p.m. match at the Cownie Soccer Complex.
