EDWARDSVILLE, ILL. - Capitalizing on Jordan Barnes'
tally in the 80th minute (79:15) SIU Edwardsville registered a 1-0 victory over
visiting Drake in men's soccer action on Saturday (Oct. 23).
The loss set the Bulldogs' ledger
back to 6-7-2 overall and 2-2-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference, while
improving the Cougars to 9-5-1 and 4-1 in league competition.
"Tonight was awfully disappointing
because one, the result, and two, our overall performance under difficult
conditions on the road where no game is ever easy in the MVC and we failed to
respond," Drake head coach Sean Holmes commented.
"Our team is relatively balanced against a big opponent and when our
upperclassmen aren't firing on all cylinders then we can be in trouble."
"We created sufficient chances on
their goal but never really looked the part. When we were at our best in the
Fall of 2009 our seniors played together as one with commitment, resolve and
determination and this is lacking in this year's team."
SIUE outshot the Bulldogs in the game,
13-6, including 9-2 in the first half.
Drake was led by a three-shot
performance from junior Michael Thaden (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley), while five Cougars
recorded two shots apiece. Only
two of the Bulldogs' attempts went on frame.
Redshirt junior Jordan Kadlec (Hiawatha, Iowa/Cedar Rapids
Kennedy) pulled in a game-high five saves for Drake.
"Jordan (Kadlec) was again terrific
in goal when called upon," said Holmes.
Holmes also applauded the efforts of
freshmen defenders Garrett Crall (Norwalk, Iowa/Norwalk) and Nick Marshall (Glen Carbon, Ill./Edwardsville).
"Once again our center backs in
Garrett (Crall) and Nick (Marshall) showed why they're going to be a formidable
pairing in the future."
The Bulldogs return to action on
Oct. 30 as Drake entertains Central Arkansas in a 7:00 p.m. match at the Cownie
Soccer Complex. The game will
represent Senior Night for the Bulldogs.
"As we begin our run into the
postseason, we will have to demonstrate a little more desire and intelligence,"
Holmes stated.
