AUGUST 27, 2011
CHICAGO - Sophomore Erik Boyer (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy) picked an opportune
time to register his first career goal as his tally in the 79th minute (78:35)
lifted the Drake men's soccer team to a 2-1 season-opening victory over Loyola
of Chicago on Saturday (Aug. 27).
"I was really proud of our effort tonight," Drake head coach
Sean Holmes
commented. "Going anywhere for
someone's home season opener is always challenging and Loyola had a terrific
crowd tonight. I thought at times
we played some very tidy soccer and at other times we were sloppy and we were
punished for that with their goal.
We responded with three great chances in the final 10 minutes or so of
the game before finally Erik (Boyer) capitalized on one.
"Our team started five very young players in the back four
and midfield and they showed cohesion and responded to the task."
The victory marked the fourth-consecutive triumph for the
Bulldogs in season openers and moved Drake to 13-11-2 all-time in season
lidlifters, including 9-4-1 under Holmes.
Senior Hunter Kennedy (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Washington) got the scoring
started in the affair connecting on a strike at the 21:39 mark off a feed from
fellow senior Matt Kuhn (Raytown, Mo./Raytown South) to provide the Bulldogs with a 1-0 lead.
The advantage was short-lived as the Ramblers evened the
contest at one after Brian Bement netted a goal in the 27th minute (26:38) off
an assist from Eric Nock.
Boyer's game-winning goal was set-up by strong passes from
freshman Thomas Schermoly (Olathe, Kan./St. Thomas Aquinas) and senior Charles Schwartz
(Bettendorf, Iowa/Bettendorf).
Loyola garnered a 13-7 advantage in shots in the affair, led
by a game-high four shots by Nock.
The Bulldogs were paced by two shots apiece from senior Thomas Ostrander (Fort
Dodge, Iowa/St. Edmond Catholic) and Kuhn.
"Hunter (Kennedy) and Thomas (Ostrander) up front are as
formidable duo as we have in our conference," said Holmes. "I was perhaps most happy for Matt
(Kuhn), who returned this evening after missing last season with a knee
injury. His grit, determination
and intelligence are ultimately what drives our team."
Senior Jordan Kadlec (Hiawatha, Iowa/Kennedy) turned in a strong
performance in net for Drake registering a game-high seven saves. Peter McKeown pulled in a pair of saves
for the Ramblers.
"Before the season I thought Jordan (Kadlec) was one of the
best goalkeepers in the country and he proved it seven times over when we lost
our way for spells," Holmes explained.
"He ultimately was the difference maker in the game."
Making their Drake debuts in the tilt were freshmen Schermoly and Kyle Whigham (Overland
Park, Kan./St. Thomas Aquinas).
"We had some great efforts off the bench from Kyle (Whigham)
and Thomas (Schermoly)," Holmes commented. "We told our guys on the bench that when their moment comes
that they must be prepared to grab it and certainly as the season progresses we
will need other guys to step forward and accept the challenge."
The Bulldogs close out their road swing with a 5:00 p.m.
tilt at Western Illinois on Monday (Aug. 29).
"Our next challenge as we recover for Western Illinois on
Monday (Aug. 29) is to find out what players are willing to step up and
contribute," said Holmes.
