DES MOINES, IOWA - In a
battle of nationally-ranked men's soccer squads from Iowa, it was Drake that
parlayed a goal by senior Kenan Malicevic (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Cedar Valley) in the 11th minute (10:41) into
a 1-0 triumph over Loras College in exhibition play on Wednesday (Aug. 25) at
the Cownie Soccer Complex.
The Bulldogs enter their season ranked No. 14 in the National Soccer
Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division I poll, while the Duhawks are
rated No. 7 in the NSCAA Division III national poll.
Coming into the contest wanting to get playing time for many of his
newcomers, 13th year Drake head coach Sean Holmes got exactly that as 26 Bulldogs saw action versus Loras.
"I'm always a little bit nervous and little bit anxious before the start
of every season, you never know how it is going to pan out," Holmes
commented. "I was not concerned
with the result but happy with the way we played. For probably 65 of the 90 minutes we played with 10
first-year players on the field and that was terrific. I think we only had two returners play
any significant minutes in the game."
The Bulldogs outshot the Duhawks in the affair, 17-12, led by three
shots in reserve duty from freshman Erik Boyer (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy).
Contributing two shots apiece were junior Michael Thaden (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley), Malicevic and
freshmen Addison Eck (Springfield,
Ill./Sacred Heart Griffin) and Logan North (St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell North).
All three goalkeepers for Drake garnered playing time with redshirt
junior Jordan Kadlec (Hiawatha,
Iowa/Cedar Rapids Kennedy), fifth-year senior Tom Spiess (Roseville, Minn./Totino-Grace) and redshirt freshman Rich Gallagher (Lake Bluff, Ill./Lake
Forest Academy) recording four, one and one saves, respectively, en route to
posting the shutout.
Dan Wickman went the distance for Loras registering eight saves.
"For so many new players to be clever and play such accomplished
Division III program and to be competent and move the ball around a get a
shutout with three different goalies is positive," said Holmes. "In terms of the learning process it
was really, really good and we got through the game with everyone mostly
healthy. To see so many young
players play so well is encouraging, not only for the start of the season, but
the long run."
The Bulldogs continue their exhibition campaign at UMKC on Friday (Aug.
27). Game time is slated for 7:00
p.m.
