OMAHA, Neb. - A pair of second-half goals proved too much for the Drake men's soccer team to overcome as the Bulldogs (3-10-3) dropped a 2-0 non-conference decision at Nebraska Omaha (7-4-2) on Tuesday (Oct. 28).
The Mavericks controlled the early run of play in the match as Omaha recorded five shots, including two on goal, before freshman Austin Errthum (Kalona, Iowa/Mid-Prairie) accounted for the Bulldogs' initial shot of the game at the 28.22 mark.
Drake didn't record another shot in the initial stanza as Omaha bettered the Bulldogs in shots, 6-1.
Sophomore Mueng Sunday (Coralville, Iowa/Iowa City West), in his first game action in two weeks, nearly got the Bulldogs on the scoreboard first at the 53:27 mark as his strike from just outside the six-yard box struck Maverick's goalkeeper Josh Christensen in the chest before he punched out the deflection to end the scoring threat.
Sophomore James Wypych (Wellington, New Zealand) again tested Christensen at the 54:26 mark with shot that was pulled in for a save
Just 11 seconds later (54:37), Vance Rookwood gave Omaha a 1-0 lead on the strength of his team-leading sixth goal of the season.
The Mavericks stretched their advantage to 2-0 at the 57:11 mark when Xavier Gomez collected his first goal of the year off an assist from Rookwood.
Redshirt sophomore Ben LeMay (Hugo, Minn./Saint Thomas Academy) had a strong scoring chance in the 59th minute (58:38), one that Christensen again saved to thwart the attempt.
Freshman Sam Graving (Johnston, Iowa/Johnston) turned Drake's final shot attempt from the corner of the box at the 87:15 mark.
The Bulldogs were outshot in the affair, 15-6, including 8-3 on goal. Six different Drake players registered a shot in the game, while a four-shot performance from Logan Mendez sparked the Mavericks.
Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Darrin MacLeod (Waterloo, Ontario/Resurrection Catholic) made six saves for the Bulldogs before giving way to redshirt junior Jake Hunstiger (White Bear Lake, Minn./White Bear Lake). Christensen finished the tilt with three saves for Omaha.
The Bulldogs close out their home campaign on Saturday (Nov. 1) as Drake battles Central Arkansas on Senior Night. Game time at the Cownie Soccer Complex is set for 7:00 p.m.
