SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Junior Ryan Merideth (East Moline, Ill.) and sophomore Antonio Sanchez (Coralville, Iowa) scored goals for the Drake University men's soccer team in a 2-1 upset win at Missouri Valley Conference leader No. 32 Missouri State on Saturday night.
 
Sanchez scored the game winner in the 83^rd minute (83:10) for Drake (4-9-1, 1-3-1 MVC), which earned its first MVC win of the season. Missouri State (8-2-1, 4-1-0 MVC) had a seven-match winning streak snapped and dropped its first league match. The two teams will play again to close out the regular season on Nov. 4 at the Cownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines, Iowa.
 
Merideth scored the game's first goal in the 34^th minute (34:07). He took a pass from graduate transfer Jake Taylor (Whitefish Bay, Wis.) and buried his shot from five yards out to put the Bulldogs up 1-0. Sanchez scored his goal from 10 yards out from the middle of the field. Conor Ingram scored for the Bears in the 68^th minute (68:28).
 
"This was an excellent performance and away win against the No. 32 ranked team in the country," said head coach Gareth Smith. "Missouri State has been on a great run so to come here and take the three points is impressive and a credit to our guys. We very well organized defensively and dominated our 1v1 battles throughout the game on both sides of the ball. We displayed an exceptional work rate and showed good progress in our communication on restarts. I am pleased for Ryan and Antonio to get on the score sheet as they invested a lot into the game. Delighted with an excellent conference win on the road and a great three points heading into the fall break."
 
Drake redshirt freshman goalkeeper Caden McCullough (Evansville, Ind.) recorded four saves. Freshman Leroy Enzugusi (Marion, Iowa) finished with two shots on goal.
 
Drake will return to the Cownie Soccer Complex to host Evansville on Oct. 21. First kick with the Purple Aces is set for 3 p.m. Prior the match, the Bulldogs will host their annual Senior Day.