KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Drake University men's soccer team plays it second to last non-conference match of the regular season Tuesday, Sept. 27 when it travels to Western Michigan. First kick with the Broncos is scheduled for 3 p.m.
 
Following Tuesday's non-conference game, Drake (3-5-0) returns to Missouri Valley Conference play Saturday, Oct. 1 when it visits Edwardsville, Ill., to take on SIUE (1-4-2) at 7 p.m.
 
Drake is looking to stop a losing skid that includes defeats to Loyola and UIC. The Bulldogs nearly rallied from a 3-0 deficit at UIC before falling 3-2 on Sept. 20. Seniors Mueng Sunday (Coralville, Iowa) and Adam Weatherly (Parkville, Mo.) each scored one goal in the loss to the Flames.
 
Drake and Western Michigan (7-2-0) will play each other for the first time since the 1996 season. The Broncos have a slight edge over the Bulldogs in the all-time series, 2-1. Western Michigan opened its season with five consecutive wins, but has just two wins in the past four games. The Broncos lost to Detroit by a score of 2-1 in their last game on Sept. 25. Brandon Bye leads the Broncos with five goals this season.
 
The Bulldogs and Cougars played two thrilling matches in 2015. SIUE won in overtime, 3-2, in Des Moines during the regular season with Drake taking the rematch in the MVC title game held in Edwardsville, Ill. The Bulldogs qualified for the NCAA Tournament with their 1-0 win over the Cougars. SIUE leads the all-time series, 8-7.
 
Drake will play one game next week when the Bulldogs visit Chicago to take on Loyola on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. The Ramblers, who are currently undefeated and national ranked, took the first game this season between the two teams by a score of 1-0 back on Sept. 17. The game will be shown online via The Valley On ESPN3.