MILWAUKEE, Wis. - The Drake men's soccer team's 2013 campaign continues to be a work in progress and for the Bulldogs (0-3-1) they strive to learn lessons from every game, including their 4-1 setback on Sunday (Sept. 8) at Marquette in the finale of the Panther Invitational.
“Big games against good opponents on the road, especially on the second half of a weekend in which we expended a tremendous amount of physical and emotional energy turn on key moments,” Drake head coach Sean Holmes commented. “We had terrific chances early in the game, but their goalkeeper made a strong save and that set the tone for the game.”
The Golden Eagles recorded goals in the 24th (23:37) and 27th minutes (26:07) to assume a 2-0 lead, one they never relinquished.
The Bulldogs outshot Marquette in the initial stanza, 7-4, including 3-2 on goal, but Drake was not able to find the back of the net. Redshirt junior Jarred Arde (Gulfport, Miss./Gulfport) provided the Bulldogs their best scoring chance in the first 45 minutes, but his shot was corralled by goalkeeper Charlie Lyon at the 11:33 mark.
“A lack of concentration on our part led to giving up two quick goals before we kind of figured it out again,” said Holmes. “What is most disappointing in the second half after 45 minutes of being statistically dominant in the first was that we proceeded to get battered a little bit. A tremendous run by Jarred (Arde) up the heart of their team set up a goal by Danton (Irelan) and then it was a game.”
Arde ignited Drake's offense in the 53rd minute as his run resulted in a shot that sophomore Danton Irelan (Ottumwa, Iowa/Ottumwa) redirected past Lyons on a deflection at the 52:18 mark that cut the Bulldogs' deficit to 2-1.
Just over 10 minutes later, Axel Sjoberg extended Marquette's lead to 3-1 with a goal in the 63rd minute (62:32).
“Shortly after our goal, we gave up a goal on a set piece, but when you're outcornered, 10-3, you put undue pressure on your defense,” Holmes explained.
The Golden Eagles tacked on their final goal at 87:16 mark to secure a 4-1 victory and the championship title of the Panther Invitational.
“I was pleased with the response of some of our guys, but I'm not certain of the character of some of our guys,” said Holmes. “Division I athletics are extremely demanding and when you're in default more and rest on what you've achieved during your past in club or high school soccer, you're not as successful as you can and want to be. Marquette is a very tidy team and they took advantage of its opportunities. The mistakes that they did make, they were at the right place at the right time and that proved costly and for that I applaud them.”
Marquette registered a 17-11 margin in shots in the tilt, including 13-4 in the second half. A game-high four-shot performance by Sebastian Jansson, paced the Golden Eagle' attack. Arde and sophomore Alex Troester (Iowa City, Iowa/Iowa City West) directed Drake with three shots apiece.
Senior Rich Gallagher (Lake Bluff, Ill./Lake Forest Academy) recorded four saves for the Bulldogs, while Lyons matched him with four saves for Marquette.
“The physical and emotional durability of our team has always been our unanswered question and I knew a long road trip versus two good opponents would test that,” Holmes commented. “The question now is how we will respond at home against UNO on Friday. I still like the quality of our team, but we need to realize we must do it for a full 90 minutes. We did it for 110 minutes on Friday versus Milwaukee and we were never close to that today. The answer is ultimately how our upperclassmen choose to lead the team into battle in our next game.”
Named to the all-tournament team were freshman Mueng Sunday (Coralville, Iowa/Iowa City West) and redshirt sophomore Alec Bartlett (Overland Park, Kan./St. James Academy).
Drake goes in search of its initial victory on Friday (Sept. 13) when it hosts Nebraska Omaha. Game time is set for approximately 8:00 p.m. and will follow a women's soccer showdown between the Bulldogs and South Dakota State.
