SEPTEMBER 16, 2011

CHICAGO, Ill. - Unable to capitalize on its scoring opportunities, the Drake men's soccer team suffered a 3-1 setback versus Wisconsin on Friday (Sept. 16) at the UIC Soccer Classic.

"Tonight proved how frustrating the game of soccer and sports in general can be," Bulldog head coach Sean Holmes commented.  "We can be very good for much of the game in possession and chances that we created but basically got punished three times.  Each mistake was worse than the last, and of the three, the second was the difference maker in the game."

"We can't play competitive Big 10 opponents and gift them golden opportunities in the 18-yard box."

Offense was at a premium in the affair as the two teams combined for only 10 shots in the contest, including four by Drake.

The Badgers cracked the scoring column first at the 17:50 mark when Nick Janus played a ball from Tomislav Zadro from 12 yards out and finished to the far post beating redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Rich Gallagher (Lake Bluff, Ill./Lake Forest Academy).

The lead held until Joey Tennyson extended Wisconsin's advantage to 2-0 on a goal in the 44th minute (43:58).

Trevor Wheeler tacked on a tally at the 58:20 mark to provide the Badgers with a 3-0 lead.

Senior Charles Schwartz (Bettendorf, Iowa/Bettendorf) spoiled Wisconsin's shutout bid connecting on his team-leading third goal of the campaign in the 61st minute (60:35).  Fellow senior Thomas Ostrander (Fort Dodge, Iowa/St. Edmond Catholic) earned the assist on the goal feeding the cross into Schwartz.

"Charlie's goal in the second half breathed some life into us and I really thought we'd be able to pull it back," said Holmes.

Janus paced all payers with a team-high two shots, while the Bulldogs received one shot apiece from Schwartz, senior Matt Kuhn (Raytown, Mo./Raytown South) and sophomores Nick Marshall (Glen Carbon, Ill./Edwardsville) and Erik Boyer (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy).

"I've told our players that the highs we will hit this year will be higher than many we've experienced in the past, but some of the lows may be potentially lower due to the erratic nature of some areas of our team," Holmes stated.  "Today was one of those lows, hopefully our guys realize that they need to be sharper if we're to be the team we want to be."

Gallagher and Wisconsin goalkeeper Max Jentsch each recorded a save in the affair.

"Rich (Gallagher) in only his second start this season was more than competent, but we let him down in his hometown, no less, by not doing as good as job as we could have," Holmes explained.  "Granted we are young at the back of our team, but our mistakes hurt us tonight."

Drake closes out its stay at the UIC Soccer Classic battling the host UIC Flames on Sunday (Sept. 18) at 2:00 p.m.

"This will be a good test for our guys to rebound Sunday having spent the first three weeks of the season winning the opening match of the weekend," stated Holmes.  "I think we're capable of more, but mental errors really let us down."