DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake men's soccer team and Northwestern University battled to a scoreless draw in an exhibition contest at Cownie Soccer Complex on Wednesday evening.
After two hard fought 45-minute scoreless periods Drake head coach Sean Holmes and Northwestern head coach Tim Lenahan mutually agreed to let their squads go immediately to penalty kicks to decide a “winner” and end the night with some fun. The two teams each took five PK's with the Bulldogs edging the Wildcats, 4-3, as senior Brandon Welter (Mankato, Minn.) connected for the game-winner for Drake.
Sophomores Mason Leonard (Overland Park, Kan.) and Alex Prusa (Omaha, Neb.) led Drake with two shots on goal each while freshman Ethan Bowman (Shawnee, Kan.) had the Bulldogs best scoring opportunity with a blast from the left wing that slammed off the left post at the 64:22 mark. Drake took 12 shots (six on goal) while Northwestern had 7 (three on goal).
The Bulldogs face another BIG Ten opponent Saturday morning (Aug. 22) to close their preseason when they travel to Wisconsin for an 11 a.m. exhibition against the Badgers.
Drake opens the regular season opener on Aug. 28 with the Bulldogs set to host the Pacific Tigers at 7 p.m. at Cownie in the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
