OCTOBER 19, 2011

DES MOINES, Iowa - Sophomore Erik Boyer's (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy) goal in the 27th minute (26:58) proved to be the game-winning tally lifting Drake (10-4-1, 3-0 MVC) to a 2-0 men's soccer victory past SIU Edwardsville (7-5-3, 1-2-1 MVC) in Missouri Valley Conference action on Wednesday (Oct. 19) at the Cownie Soccer Complex.

"Tonight was a very methodical, business-like performance," Bulldog head coach Sean Holmes commented. "It was very gratifying to get the shutout.  Mid-week conference games in cold and windy weather, home or away, are not the most exciting affairs, but I thought we dispatched a pretty solid team, pretty handily."

"Playing without Hunter (Kennedy), who is such a powerful, determined athlete up front added a test to our team, but for Erik (Boyer) to step up and hit the winning goal was further proof of the depth of our team."

Senior Charles Schwartz (Bettendorf, Iowa/Bettendorf) set up Drake's initial goal swinging the ball into the box to fellow senior Matt Kuhn (Raytown, Mo./Raytown South), who grazed the ball enough to place it at the foot of Boyer, who drilled the ball into the net for his third goal of the season.

Kuhn's assist, the 22nd of his career, allowed him to equal Matt Nickell (2001-04) and Eric Wilson (1994-98) atop the Bulldogs' all-time list for assists.

The Bulldogs extended the margin to 2-0 at the 40:51 mark when Kuhn delivered his team-leading ninth goal of the year off an assist from senior Michael Noonan (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Xavier).

"Although there were some individual moments of brilliance in the first half by our regular cast of characters in Matt (Kuhn), Charlie (Schwartz) and Thomas (Ostrander), we took advantage of opportunities when they presented themselves and then showed some grit and resilience holding a good team to a shutout," said Holmes.

Drake outshot the Cougars in the initial stanza, 9-3, en route to earning a 13-10 margin for the game.

The second half the Bulldogs clamped down defensively and on the prowess of its defensive line, including senior goalkeeper Jordan Kadlec (Hiawatha, Iowa/Kennedy), Drake was able to nail down its second shutout of the season.

"Whereas weeks ago we bled goals profusely, we've given up only one in three conference game and that is a great reward for Jordan (Kadlec) and a tribute to the maturation of our young back four," Holmes explained.  "The central pairing of Garrett (Crall) and Nick (Marshall) have really developed a great understanding along with the rest of the back four and tying it all together was Jordan (Stanley) in the middle, who gave us a battle-hardened performance."

Kuhn directed all players with a game-high three shots, while the Bulldogs also garnered two shots apiece from Schwartz, senior Thomas Ostrander (Fort Dodge, Iowa/St. Edmond Catholic) and Boyer.  SIU Edwardsville was paced by two shots each from Matt Polster and Jack Twellman.

Kadlec registered three saves for Drake, while Scott Meyer corralled five stops for the Cougars.

"That game typified Jordan's (Kadlec) performance in conference play this season and over the course of his career," stated Holmes.  "He just doesn't make mistakes and that is a quality that is often underappreciated."

The victory enabled Drake's senior class of Hunter Kennedy (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Washington), Kadlec, Kuhn, Noonan, Ostrander, Matt Reindl (Batavia, Ill./Batavia) and Schwartz to surpass the 2010 seniors for most wins by a class in program history as the seniors earned their 47th career triumph while donning the Blue and White.

"It was very fitting that on a super unglamorous night that those guys achieved a new milestone," beamed Holmes.  "Much of their success has been attributed to hard work, camaraderie and team work, not always glamorous, but very efficient.  I'm very proud of their accomplishment with more to come."

Holmes was also proud of his team determination to earn a key home win and keep alive one of the squad's goals as they draw the regular season to a close.

"We talked a few weeks ago about maximizing points at home in conference and we're still in line with what we're trying to achieve."

Another milestone may fall for Holmes in the Bulldogs' showdown at Central Arkansas on Saturday (Oct. 22) as a Drake win would provide the 200th career coaching victory for Holmes in his distinguished career.  Game time against the Bears is slated for 2:00 p.m.