FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPT. 14, 2008
DRAKE MEN'S SOCCER TEAM POSTS NCAA LEADING SIXTH STRAIGHT SHUTOUT VICTORY
GREEN BAY, WIS. ? Freshman Hunter Kennedy's (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Washington) goal in the 52nd minute allowed the Drake men's soccer team to maintain its perfect season with a 1-0 victory at Green Bay Sunday.
Drake overcame a red card by goalkeeper Michael Drozd (Hartwood Heights, Ill.) ? 18 minutes into the match ? to post its school-record sixth-straight victory.
The Bulldogs are the only NCAA soccer program which has opened the 2008 campaign by posting six-straight shutouts.
Drake remained ranked No. 1 nationally in four NCAA team statistical categories: won-loss-tied percentage (1.0); team goals-against-average (0.0); shutout percentage (1.0), and save percentage (1.0).
"The red card certainly changed the complexion of the game," said Drake coach Sean Holmes. "But we were resilient today. The field was choppy and the wind was in our face in the second half."
Freshman redshirt Jordan Kadlec (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy), making his first collegiate appearance, replaced Drozd in the net for the final 72 minutes, recording three saves.
"Jordan (Kadlec) was the star of the game," said Holmes. "He had not played a minute in college, so to step up and preserve the win was awesome."
Kennedy beat two defenders for his game-winning goal that came on a sliding shot from eight yards off assists from junior Garrett Webb (Prairie Village, Kan.) and senior Ryan Moylan (Wauwatosa, Wis.) at the 51:55 mark.
Kennedy and sophomore Matt Kuhn (Raytown, Mo.) had two shots apiece for the Bulldogs. Drake had eight shots in the match.
Drake's last four victories during its school-record start have been on the road winning the Missouri State Tournament Sept. 6 before earning a 2-0 victory at No. 24 ranked Loyola of Chicago Friday.
The Bulldogs will conclude their month-long road swing by competing at the Stanford Nike Challenge next weekend followed by road matches at Oral Roberts Sept. 26 and UMKC Sept. 30.
"We always knew this road stretch would be difficult, but to win our first four matches on this swing has given our team a lot of confidence," Holmes added.
The Bulldogs' last three victories during their current winning streak have come against Horizon League opponents ? Cleveland State, Loyola of Chicago and Green Bay.
