DES MOINES, Iowa - A pair of goals from sophomore James Wypych (Wellington, New Zealand) lifted the Drake men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory past Central Arkansas (3-12-1, 0-5-1 MVC) on Saturday (Nov. 1) at the Cownie Soccer Complex.

The Bulldogs (4-10-3, 2-3 MVC) earned the win on a night when it honored their two seniors in Thomas Schermoly (Olathe, Kan./St. Thomas Aquinas) and Jake Hunstiger (White Bear Lake, Minn./White Bear Lake) during halftime ceremonies.

Wypcyh netted his team-leading fourth goal of the season at the 7:28 mark to give Drake an early 1-0 advantage. Earning the assist on the tally was sophomore Mueng Sunday (Coralville, Iowa/Iowa City West).

The Bulldogs maintained the lead until William Woody netted the equalizer for the Bears in the 23rd minute (22:53) off an assist from Manuel Montal.

The contest was deadlocked at one at the intermission despite Drake owning an 11-5 margin in shots.

Wypych connected on what proved to be the game-winning goal with a diving header at the 48:21 mark off assists from junior Alex Troester (Iowa City, Iowa/Iowa City West) and redshirt junior Alec Bartlett (Overland Park, Kan./St. James Academy).

Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Darrin MacLeod (Waterloo, Ontario/Resurrection Catholic) and Drake's defensive efforts thwarted the Bears over the remainder of the game to collect crucial points in the Missouri Valley Conference race.

The Bulldogs outshot Central Arkansas on the evening, 18-11, including 9-5 on goal. Bartlett registered a game-high six shots for Drake, while Wypych and Schermoly garnered four and three shots, respectively. Wes Carson led the Bears with a four-shot performance.

Harrison Veith finished the contest with a game-high seven saves for the Bears, while MacLeod made four stops for the Bulldogs.

Drake closes out its regular season with a 7:00 p.m. tilt at Bradley next Saturday (Nov. 8).