ANN ARBOR, MICH. - The faces have changed but the results remained the same for the 14th-rated Drake men's soccer team as senior Kenan Malicevic's (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Cedar Valley) goal in the 65th minute (64:20) broke open a scoreless affair propelling the Bulldogs to a 1-0 road victory over Michigan on Friday (Sept. 3) in their season opener.
Having graduated an outstanding group of six senior starters from a squad that advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament a year ago with a school-record 16-7-2 mark, Drake began a new era in Bulldog soccer in similar fashion to last season recording their second consecutive 1-0 road triumph over a Big Ten school. In the NCAA Tournament last season, Drake garnered an overtime goal from graduated senior Luke Gorczyca to down No. 14 Ohio State, 1-0.
Posting their third consecutive season-opening victory with the decision, the Bulldogs moved their ledger to 1-0, while dropping Michigan to 1-1 on the year.
"Spectacular way to start our season after we graduated so many kids and losing Matt (Kuhn) for the year, to go on the road against competition from a strong Big Ten program is a huge achievement," Drake head coach Sean Holmes commented. "We didn't do ourselves any favors, we created some good chances, but it will take a few weeks to become a cohesive unit. Last year we outplayed Michigan and lost and this year we were outplayed and won and thus is the cruelty of soccer. I'm pleased with the result and it can help set the tone for our season."
Malicevic registered what proved to be the game-winner knocking in a deflection into the upper right corner of the net to give Drake a 1-0 lead, one it didn't relinquish. Credited with the assist on the play was junior Hunter Kennedy (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Washington).
Not to be underscored in the victory was the play of redshirt junior goalkeeper Jordan Kadlec (Hiawatha, Iowa/Cedar Rapids Kennedy), who faced 26 shots and pulled in a career-high nine saves to post his second career shutout.
"Jordan (Kadlec) gave one of the better performances in goal this evening in Drake history," said Holmes.
The two sides battled to a scoreless draw at halftime despite the Wolverines owning a 16-6 advantage in shots, 6-2 on goal. Michigan finished the contest owning a 26-12 margin in shots.
The Wolverines had a goal by Justin Meram in the fifth minute (4:11) wiped off by an offsides call before seeing a shot by Fabio Pereira hit the crossbar at the 10:03 mark.
Juniors Thomas Ostrander (Fort Dodge, Iowa/St. Edmond Catholic) and Michael Thaden (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley) paced the Drake attack in the initial 45 minutes with two shots apiece, while Michigan was led by six shots from Soony Saad.
The tilt featured a noticeable difference in the margin in fouls as Drake was called for 15 fouls, including two yellow cards, while Michigan was charged with only three fouls.
Ostrander, Thaden, Malicevic, senior Nick Foster (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley) and redshirt junior Michael Noonan (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Xavier) sparked the Bulldog attack with two shots apiece, while Saad recorded a game-high nine shots for Michigan.
Chris Blais registered three saves in goal for the Wolverines.
Holmes praised several players for their efforts in helping lead Drake past Michigan to avenge a 2-1 home setback to the Wolverines last season.
"Nick (Foster), our only returning starter on the backline, kept us together and for Max (Duncan) and Garrett (Crall) to play the entire 90 minutes the way they did in their first collegiate games is a huge accomplishment," Holmes extolled. "On the wings, Thomas (Ostrander) and Charlie (Schwartz) did yeomen's work of moving the ball up and down the sidelines all night long."
Despite only getting off two shots on the evening, the performance of Malicevic was one that made Holmes proud.
"For Kenan's first 90 minute performance of his career to score such a composed goal shows he truly has the ability to play at the next level."
Holmes also was excited about the competitive nature and style of the showdown with the Wolverines.
"If more college games were as exciting and pulsating end to end as tonight, we can really grow our sport, but this was what college soccer needs to make ourselves a more viable entertainment option in collegiate athletics," said Holmes. "Michigan really has a chance to do some damage in the Big Ten this year."
Drake returns to action on Sunday (Sept. 5) with an 11:30 a.m. tilt at Oakland.
