OMAHA, NEB. - Sophomore Thomas Ostrander's (Fort Dodge, Iowa/St. Edmond Catholic) goal in the 48th minute (47:05) provided the No. 19 Drake men's soccer team all the scoring it needed as the Bulldogs notched a 1-0 victory over Creighton on Wednesday evening (Oct. 14) to earn the program's first-ever road victory against the Bluejays.

The win marked only the second triumph for Drake over Creighton, the preseason Missouri Valley Conference favorite, in 27 meetings, and the first victory in Omaha in 15 games.

The Bulldogs improved to 8-3-1 overall and 3-0 in the MVC with the decision, while the Bluejays dropped to 5-3-2 on the season, including 3-2-2 in league play.

"It was thrilling to go to a national powerhouse like Creighton and get a shutout win and remain undefeated in our conference season," Drake head coach Sean Holmes commented.  "The game came in waves as we played well and then they played well, but we were able to finish a good chance in the second half and that unsettled them."

Playing in a steady rain throughout the game, the two sides played a tightly fought affair in the first half with the Bluejays edging the Bulldogs in shots, 8-5.

"With the rain on their playing surface the game was quick and we were able to adapt and overcome," Holmes explained. 

Ostrander, the current MVC Offensive Player of the Week, put Drake on the board in the 48th minute (47:05) on a header off the defender from a crossing pass by senior Garrett Webb (Prairie Village, Kan./Shawnee Mission East).  The goal was the third of the season for Ostrander and second consecutive game-winner.

The Bulldog's defensive unit again persevered buckling down in the final 45 minutes to collect Drake's third consecutive shutout and sixth of the season, despite being outshot, 11-2.  Redshirt junior goalkeeper Michael Drozd (Harwood Heights, Ill./Loyola Academy) spearheaded that effort pulling in three saves on the night.

"Our back four was resolute in its defense," Holmes said.  "This season has been a never-ending testament to our senior leadership as all six of them and fourth-year junior Michael Drozd never left the field in the game.  When you can play mature players for long stretches of time you are successful."

"When we matched and surpassed their effort we were able to get the results"

Webb and fellow senior Kevin Shrout (Lee's Summit, Mo./Lee's Summit) paced the Drake attack with two shots apiece, while Creighton was directed by a five-shot effort from Jeff Thayer.

"Our goal this season has been to get as many points on the road as possible and right now we're a perfect 2-0 in the MVC on the road," Holmes stated.

The setback dropped Creighton to 56-6-3 at home all-time in MVC play, including 21-3-2 at Morrison Stadium. The Bluejays had been 13-1-1 at home against nationally-ranked teams at Morrison Stadium before Wednesday night 

Drake returns to action on Saturday (Oct. 17) when the Bulldogs host Missouri State in a 7:00 p.m. tilt at the Cownie Soccer Complex.