DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University men's soccer team improved to 2-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference with a 2-1 win over visiting Missouri State, Saturday evening at Cownie Soccer Stadium.

“Winning a conference game is always a positive way to start to the conference season,” interim head coach Gareth Smith said. “We scored two very good goals and probably could have scored two or three others, but offensively we are in a very good place.”

James Grunert (Muskego, Wis.) scored the first goal for Drake (7-2, 2-0 MVC) at the 31:57 mark. Grunert collected a ball off of a Mueng Sunday (Coralville, Iowa) deflection in the middle of the box and chipped it over the keepers head.

The Bulldogs kept that 1-0 lead through halftime came into the second half with confidence as Missouri State (3-4-2, 1-1 MVC) needed two team saves in trying to keep the margin from growing any larger.

After an apparent goal by Nic Jaimes (Olathe, Kan.) was waved off, he was able to assist James Wypych (Wellington, new Zealand) who followed shortly with a header during the 61st minute, to give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead.

Missouri State answered with less than three minutes remaining in the contest as James Griffin scored off a deflected corner kick.  

“Missouri State is a very tenacious team and for us to keep them at bay shows that long the level of organization our guys have,” Smith said.

Drake outshot Missouri State, 10-6, while goalkeeper Darrin MacLeod (Waterloo, Ontario) finished with one save, but was challenged only twice. 

Drake now takes on No. 1 Creighton in a non-conference match on Tuesday, Oct. 6, in Omaha, Neb. Creighton enters the match with a perfect 10-0 record in addition to its No. 1 national ranking.

“It's always exciting to play the best team in the country because it gives you an idea of where you are. It will give us insight into the areas we're doing ok and the areas we need to tighten up.”