DES MOINES, Iowa – Freshmen
Stafford Dowling (Hamilton, New Zealand) and
Leroy Enzugusi (Marion, Iowa) scored goals for the Drake University men's soccer team in a 2-1 comeback win over UMKC on Saturday night at the Cownie Soccer Complex.
Drake rallied for its second-straight win and claimed its third victory in the past four matches to improve to 3-6-0 overall. With the road loss, UMKC dropped to 2-3-3 overall.
"Another very good win for the team tonight," said head coach
Gareth Smith. "We took some time to settle into the game and find the tempo and intensity that we pride ourselves on, but that is to be expected with our heavy schedule. We maintained good composure, grew into the game and showed great character to respond in the second half. It is pleasing to see us create a number of opportunities and we probably should have extended the lead further. I was particularly pleased with our balance tactically - we pushed for the win without giving away too many clear chances to the opposition."
Christian Anderaos put the Kangaroos up 1-0 in the 29
th minute (29:41) after the Bulldogs' defense failed to clear the ball deep in their own box. Anderaos scored his first goal of the season after he took a pass from Pandelis Popgeorgiev and beat Drake goalkeeper
Caden McCullough (Evansville, Ind.) far post as UMKC went to halftime with a 1-0 lead.
Enzugusi scored his team-leading third goal of his young career in the 56
th minute (56:35) after he beat the Kangaroos' defense and then shot it past goalkeeper, Filippo Errico, one vs. one, blasting the ball into the back of the net to even the match at 1-1.
Dowling scored the game winner and his first career goal in the 68
th minute (68:22) after junior
Ryan Merideth (East Moline, Ill.) hustled down a ball deep in the UMKC box, turned and sent a perfect pass to Dowling who shot it past a diving Errico. Merideth lead the team with two assists this year.
"We are in good form and continue to grow and refine our performances at an individual and collective level," Smith said. "We just need to keep focusing on performance and the result will take care of themselves. Great credit to Leroy and Stafford for the tireless efforts and desire to get into key positions and take their chances."
Drake has a fast turnaround as it returns to Missouri Valley Conference play at Central Arkansas on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs continue their road trip at Bradley on Sept. 30.
