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Drake University Athletics

DES MOINES, IA - NOVEMBER 9:  The Drake Bulldogs play against the Missouri State Bears during a Missouri Valley Conference men soccer game at Tiger Field at Valley High School on Saturday, November 9, 2019 in West Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Dylan Heuer)

Men's Soccer Jack Brandsgard, Drake Athletic Communications

Men's Soccer Opens MVC Tournament Play on Wednesday

The No. 4 seed Bulldogs take on No. 5 seed Valparaiso in Chicago.

CHICAGO, Ill. – The Drake University men's soccer team travels to Chicago on Wednesday for its match against Valparaiso in the first round of the MVC Tournament. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
The Bulldogs split the season series with the Crusaders. Drake won 2-0 at Valpo on Sept. 25 before the Crusaders earned a 3-1 victory in Des Moines on Oct. 23.
 
In the first meeting between the two sides, Leroy Enzugusi assisted on a goal by Austin Smythe in the 18th minute. Enzugusi then scored a goal of his own in the 80th minute to seal Drake's fourth-straight win.
 
Luke Anderson, the reigning MVC Defensive Player of the Week at the time, made four saves to secure his fourth-consecutive clean sheet.
 
The Bulldogs seemed to be in control of the Oct. 23 rematch as Enzugusi struck first with a goal in the 22nd minute. Istvan Wilhelms and Nate Seaberg linked up beautifully through the midfield and were credited with assists on the play.
 
However the Crusaders would answer back in the 37th minute with a goal by Andy Lomeli, and they seized the lead with a goal by Mason Marcey just before halftime.
 
Valparaiso added a brace in the 62nd minute when Demar Rose found the back of the net, securing the 3-1 win for the Crusaders. Adan Garcia assisted on all three goals by Valpo, marking a career high.
 
Drake controlled much of the run of play, owning 56 percent of the possession and gaining a 14-4 advantage in shots, but both sides put four shots on target.
 
Live stats and a live stream will be available for Wednesday's match, and links can be found on www.GoDrakeBulldogs.com. Follow @DrakeMensSoccer on Twitter for the latest updates and news surrounding the program.
 
Scouting Valparaiso
 
Valparaiso (4-12-1, 3-7-0 MVC) is led by Marcey and Ryan Madondo, who have scored four goals apiece this season. Marcey is tied with Garcia for the team-high with three assists, and he paces the Crusaders with 11 points on the year.
 
Edvin Holst patrols the box for Valpo. The freshman from Sweden has posted a 1.97 goals against average this season to go along with a .730 save percentage.
 
The Bulldogs will look to capitalize on the Crusaders' shaky defense, a unit that ranks last in the MVC by conceding 2.29 goals per contest.
 
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Players Mentioned

Luke Anderson

#1 Luke Anderson

GK
6' 3"
Redshirt Sophomore
Leroy Enzugusi

#13 Leroy Enzugusi

F
5' 10"
Junior
Nate Seaberg

#15 Nate Seaberg

D/M
6' 0"
Redshirt Junior
Austin Smythe

#23 Austin Smythe

F
6' 0"
Graduate Student
Istvan  Wilhelms

#8 Istvan Wilhelms

M
5' 9"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Luke Anderson

#1 Luke Anderson

6' 3"
Redshirt Sophomore
GK
Leroy Enzugusi

#13 Leroy Enzugusi

5' 10"
Junior
F
Nate Seaberg

#15 Nate Seaberg

6' 0"
Redshirt Junior
D/M
Austin Smythe

#23 Austin Smythe

6' 0"
Graduate Student
F
Istvan  Wilhelms

#8 Istvan Wilhelms

5' 9"
Junior
M