SPRINGFIELD, MO. - Gerard Barbero's golden goal 21 seconds into overtime lifted Missouri Valley Conference leader Missouri State (11-3-2, 6-1-1 MVC) to a 3-2 victory past Drake Sunday (Nov. 1).

The Bulldogs rallied from a 2-0 deficit by collecting two goals in a 64-second span in the second half to tie the match after the Bears scored the first two goals in the affair.

Drake junior Kenan Malicevic (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Cedar Valley) got behind the defense, beating Missouri State goalkeeper Alex Riggs in the 81st minute (80:31) to get the Bulldogs on the scoreboard.  Junior Nick Foster (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley) earned the assist on the tally.

Then Drake tied the score at the 81:35 mark, 2-2, capitalizing on a header by senior Garrett Webb (Prairie Village, Kan./Shawnee Mission East).  The goal was Webb's team-leading fifth of the season.

"It was gut wrenching to lose when we fought so hard, " said Drake head coach Sean Holmes, whose team fell to 10-6-1 overall, including a 5-3 league mark.

Holmes attributed Drake's comeback to switching to a 3-4-3 system in the last 20 minutes.

"That move created more opportunities," said Holmes. "We played terrific in the second half. "

It marked Drake's second loss to Missouri State in a two-week span with the No. 25 ranked Bears earning a 2-1 victory in Des Moines on Oct. 17.

"Our two games against Missouri State have been characterized by big mistakes," Holmes added. "If you want to compete for the Missouri Valley Conference title you must play more error free. They forced you into making mistakes and we have to be bigger and stronger than that."

Missouri State outshot Drake, 10-9. Malicevic led Drake with three shots, while three Bears posted two shots apiece.

Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Jordan Kadlec (Hiawatha, Iowa/Cedar Rapids Kennedy) pulled in two saves for the Bulldogs, while Riggs recorded three stops.

"It's nice to see Kenan (Malicevic) find his scoring touch late in the season," Holmes added.

Drake will travel to Eastern Illinois Wednesday (Nov. 4) before closing out the regular season playing host to Creighton this Saturday (Nov. 7). Game time against the Panthers is scheduled for 3:00 p.m., while the showdown with the Bluejays is slated for 7:00 p.m.