Two Goals By Sophomore Rallies Men's Soccer Team Past Wisconsin, 3-1

MADISON, WIS. ? Looking to build its resume for an NCAA Tournament bid, the No. 25 ranked Drake men's soccer team posted its school record 12th victory of the season with a 3-1 decision past Wisconsin Wednesday night.

The Bulldogs scored two goals in a two-minute span midway through the second half to erase a 1-0 deficit.

“When you can go to a Big 10 Conference opponent on the road and win it speaks volumes of still unrealized potential on our team,” said Drake head coach Sean Holmes.

Drake, in the midst of a regular-season ending three game road swing, improved to 12-4-0 overall, breaking the single-season victory mark of 11 held by the 1987 and 1993 Bulldog teams.

Sophomore forward Kenan Malicevic (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) scored two second-half goals for Drake.

Malicevic's first goal, off a feed from junior Brian Wurst (Kansas City, Mo.) at the 66:44 mark, knotted the score at 1-1.

Holmes praised the play of his underclassmen Malicevic, Thomas Ostrander (Fort Dodge, Iowa), Michael Thaden (West Des Moines, Iowa) and Hunter Kennedy (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)

“This was a very gratifying win because our young kids played terrific and stepped up for us down the stretch,” said Holmes.

Junior Kevin Shrout (Lee's Summit, Mo.) scored from 35 yards out on a free kick that hit the upper corner off goalkeeper Alex Horwath with what proved to be the game winner at the 68:52 mark.

Malicevic rounded out the scoring with a goal off an assist by junior forward Garrett Webb (Prairie Village, Kan.) in the 83rd minute.

“It was a super windy game,” said Holmes. “In the first half the wind helped us defensively, but made us play a little more hurried.

“In the second half the wind forced us to put the ball on ground and when we do that and move ball on field we can be terrific.

“We had eight or nine one touch passes on the first goal.”

Wisconsin, which had a three-game winning streak snapped, fell to 9-7-2.

Drake outshot the Badgers, 13-4. Malicevic had four shots, while Shrout had three shots. Webb and junior Luke Gorczyca (Overland Park, Kan.) had two shots apiece.

Sophomore Michael Drozd (Hartwood Heights, Ill.), who collected two saves, tied a Drake single-season record for goalkeeper victories at 11.

Drake will close out the regular season at Evansville at 7 p.m. Saturday.

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