MILWAUKEE, Wis. - The Drake men's soccer team earned a hard-fought 1-1 double-overtime tie versus Milwaukee on Friday (Sept. 6) in the Bulldogs' opening game at the Panther Invitational.
Drake garnered a result in the affair versus a Panther' squad that came into the game ranked No. 24 by Soccer America.
“After the disappointment of last weekend to go on the road against a quality opponent and fight back from 1-0 down was a really satisfying result,” Bulldog head coach Sean Holmes commented. “We were missing Kyle (Whigham) due to injury and that forced us to change the midfield and the boys responded. Garrett (Crall) had his first start since last season and played 110 minutes and delivered a really good game, including the game-tying goal.”
“What is most rewarding is that last year we had some disappointing results, many away and some and home, so to go to a place like this and fight to the very end and earn a result is gratifying. Had we played with the same amount of pressure last weekend, we might have changed some of the results.”
Milwaukee took a 1-0 lead in the contest when Laurie Bell delivered a ball from Robbie Neumann to the far post to beat senior goalkeeper Rich Gallagher (Lake Bluff, Ill./Lake Forest Academy) at the 39:31 mark.
The Panthers took a 1-0 advantage into the intermission on the strength of a 7-5 first-half margin in shots.
Senior Garrett Crall (Norwalk, Iowa/Norwalk) evened the tilt at one for Drake in the 66th minute (65:49) cleaning up a blocked shot in the box to best Panther goalkeeper Liam Anderson. Earning the assist on the goal was sophomore Danton Irelan (Ottumwa, Iowa/Ottumwa).
Senior Nick Marshall (Glen Carbon, Ill./Edwardsville) nearly scored at the 95:29 mark of the first overtime session, if not for a save by Anderson.
Drake was unable to manage another shot on goal in overtime and Gallagher stopped Bell in the 110th minute (109:48) with a save on the Panthers' lone shot on goal in extra time.
Milwaukee bettered the Bulldogs in shots, 18-12, although the margin on frame was only 7-5.
Redshirt junior Jarred Arde (Gulfport, Miss./Gulfport) and sophomore Eric Williams (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley) paced the Drake attack with a team-high three shots apiece. Bell led all players with a game-high seven shots for the Panthers.
Gallagher recorded six saves for the Bulldogs, while Anderson made four for Milwaukee.
"One of the great challenges of collegiate athletics is making these long trips on a bus, sleeping in a hotel and eating restaurant food, all while being expected to perform at a high level and we did that tonight,” said Holmes. “We are learning and showing that we are on an upward trend. Now our challenge will be to step up again and play a very good Marquette team on Sunday.”
Holmes also lauded praise upon several players who helped spark the Bulldogs against the Panthers.
“Alec (Bartlett) was very good in back tonight as was Rich (Gallagher), who made a huge save in the final minute of the game to seal the result,” Holmes explained. “Mueng (Sunday), again held down the midfield and was truly quite outstanding considering his age and tonight was only his third collegiate game. Our midfield comprised of Addison (Eck), Jarred (Arde) and Ben (LeMay) fought hard and did a good job whistle to whistle.”
Drake closes out action at the Panther Invitational on Sunday (Sept. 8) with a 3:30 p.m. contest at Marquette.
