DES MOINES, IOWA -
Overcoming the elements, the Drake men's soccer team posted its second
consecutive victory earning a 3-2 decision over Loyola on Saturday (Sept. 18)
at the Cownie Soccer Complex.
The win evened the Bulldogs' ledger at 3-3 on the campaign, while
dropping the Ramblers to 0-5-1.
"Tonight was a tremendously exciting game with five goals scored and
action end to end," Drake head coach Sean Holmes commented. "With the six
goals we scored this week, I feel we've shown the offensive potential we're
capable of led by Hunter (Kennedy) and Thomas (Ostrander) up front and Michael
(Thaden) orchestrating the midfield."
"We made difficult work by twice letting them back in the game tonight;
we have to be more decisive in finishing off opponents when we have the
opportunity."
Redshirt junior Charles Schwartz (Bettendorf, Iowa/Bettendorf) began the scoring in the affair
registering a goal at the 9:01 mark to provide the Bulldogs a 1-0 advantage.
The lead grew to 2-0 on junior Thomas Ostrander's (Fort Dodge, Iowa/St. Edmond Catholic) tally in the 16th minute
(15:12) on a breakaway with assists from redshirt junior Michael Noonan (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Xavier) and junior Michael Thaden (West Des Moines,
Iowa/Valley).
Loyola cut the deficit in half on Will Martin's goal at the 21:36
mark.
Freshman Garrett Crall (Norwalk,
Iowa/Norwalk) scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 63rd minute
(62:54) connecting on a header off a corner kick from Schwartz. The tally was the first of Crall's collegiate
career.
"I thought it was fitting that Garrett (Crall) scored the winning goal
as in only his sixth collegiate game he played nearly flawless," Holmes stated.
Andy Weis capped the scoring for Loyola at the 81:27 mark to ensure
the final 3-2 margin.
The Ramblers outshot the Bulldogs in the affair, 14-7, with Ostrander
pacing Drake with a team-high two shots.
Chris Mills led all players with four shots for Loyola.
"It is clear last weekend's experience was vital for our development
as a squad," Holmes said. "We have
effectively reconstructed our team from scratch and I'm thrilled by the group's
willingness to continue to grow as a unit."
Redshirt junior Jordan Kadlec (Hiawatha,
Iowa/Cedar Rapids Kennedy) pulled in four saves for Drake, while Peter McKeown recorded
three saves for Loyola.
"I thought that the wet field played fast and suited our technical
level," said Holmes. "We have to
continue to improve every game and we have shown excellence balance between the
older players demonstrating composure and the freshmen rising to the task. We played the later part of the game with six
freshmen and never looked agitated or immature.
Nick (Marshall) also rose to the occasion and the whole team is starting
to gel."
Drake returns to action on Tuesday (Sept. 21) with a 4:00 p.m. tilt
at DePaul.
