EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Drake University men's soccer team improved to 7-6 overall and 4-3 in Missouri Valley Conference play with a 2-0 win at Evansville on Saturday night. Leroy Enzugusi tucked away a penalty kick in the 21^st minute before Istvan Wilhelms delivered the nail in the coffin with a goal in the 74^th minute.
 
The result earns the Bulldogs a season sweep of the Aces, as Drake won 1-0 in Des Moines on Oct. 9. The victory also vaults Drake into second place in the MVC.

"Any time you can win and keep a clean sheet on the road is a great night," said Drake head coach Gareth Smith. "This was a great result and a great performance. We showed a high level of commitment, energy, and desire throughout the game, and Evansville made us work hard and earn the three points."
 
Evansville began the game on the offensive, recording three shots in the opening four minutes. While the Aces' pressure earned goal-scoring opportunities, it left them vulnerable to the counterattack.
 
Enzugusi nearly opened the scoring on a breakaway chance in the 13^th minute. After Drake's defense dispossessed Evansville, Scott Misselhorn sent a long ball forward to the speedy Enzugusi, who strode past the defense and put a shot on frame.
 
It was the Bulldogs' second chance of the game, as Enzugusi delivered a low cross into the heart of the box to Wilhelms minutes earlier. Wilhelms ripped a shot, but Evansville's goalkeeper made a quality diving save.
 
Drake kept its foot on the pedal, and the pressure soon culminated in Enzugusi's goal. Nate Seaberg did well to jostle with his defender for space in the box, earning an advantageous position and forcing the Evansville player to pull him to the ground.
 
Enzugusi calmly placed the ensuing penalty kick into the lower-right corner for his team-leading fifth goal of the season. The decisive score was Enzugusi's second game-winner of the season, which ties Austin Smythe for most on the team.
 
The Bulldogs' 1-0 lead held into halftime, as they headed to the locker room holding a 5-1 advantage in shots on goal.

"We were sharp and strategic in our attacking phase and created a number of clear goal-scoring chances," Smith said. "If our final action was a little more clinical we could have extended our lead further. The key is we are creating good opportunities from a variety of areas on the field."
 
Evansville began the second half as aggressively as it did the opening frame. The Aces earned three corner kicks in the first nine minutes of second-half play, but Drake executed its set-piece defense to perfection to prevent any danger.
 
Again mirroring the first half, Drake was able to strike first despite the Aces making a concerted effort to start quickly. Wilhelms delivered his second goal of the season courtesy of skillful build-up play through the midfield.
 
Enzugusi dumped the ball off to Erik Fahner near the midfield circle, and Fahner needed only one touch to thread the needle to Wilhelms, who had snuck between two defenders near the box.
 
Wilhelms collected the pass and sent a strong left-footed shot to the far post, beating the keeper and sealing the win for Drake. Enzugusi and Fahner each earned assists on the play.
 
The Bulldogs enjoyed the season debut of Lucas Bartlett, an All-MVC Honorable Mention selection in 2018. Bartlett, a 6-foot-4 defender who was sidelined with an injury, played a key role in the Bulldogs maintaining their sixth clean sheet of the season. Luke Anderson notched three saves to preserve his sixth shutout of the year, tops in the MVC.

"I was particularly pleased with our defensive organization as a collective team," Smith said. "Everyone was committed to the defending phase and worked for each other, which is an area we have been developing and shows in the clean sheet again this evening. It was really positive to see one of our captains, Lucas Bartlett, back playing and leading on the field."
 
Drake hosts Valparaiso in its next match. Kickoff at Cownie Soccer Complex is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23.

"We had a lot of positive aspects to our performance but there's still room for continued improvement," Smith said. "Now we turn our attention to Valparaiso on Wednesday."