DES MOINES, Iowa - A pair of
first-half goals propelled the Drake men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory past
Western Illinois (2-7-2) on Wednesday (Oct. 3) at the Cownie Soccer Complex.
The Bulldogs (2-7-3) got on the scoreboard first on the strength of a
goal by junior Addison Eck
(Springfield, Ill./Sacred Heart Griffin) at the 31:14 mark. A strong give-and-go in the box by
senior Michael Thaden (West Des
Moines, Iowa/Valley) to Eck created the scoring opportunity.
Drake extended its margin to 2-0 in the 42nd minute (41:47) when the
Leathernecks were whistled for a foul in the box that resulted in a penalty
kick. Converting on the attempt
for his third goal of the year was Thaden.
The Bulldogs maintained a 2-0 lead until Charlie Bales was able to get
1v1 and beat redshirt junior goalkeeper Rich Gallagher (Lake Bluff, Ill./Lake Forest Academy) at the 58:24 mark.
Mario Alvarez nearly squared the game at two in the 84th minute (83:11)
as his point-blank shot on frame sailed high.
Sparked by a game-high four shots from Thaden, Drake registered a 14-10
margin in shots. Alvarez led Western Illinois with four shots.
Yves Dietrich collected six saves for the Leathernecks, while Gallagher
pulled in three stops for the Bulldogs.
Drake resumes Missouri Valley Conference action on Saturday (Oct. 6) as
the Bulldogs battle Central Arkansas in a 7:00 p.m. tilt at the Cownie Soccer
Complex.
