CHICAGO, Ill. – Highlight-reel goals by Lucas Bartlett and Leroy Enzugusi completed a dramatic comeback for the Drake men's soccer team and propelled the Bulldogs into the semifinals of the MVC Tournament.
 
Bartlett sent shockwaves through Loyola Soccer Park with his 50-yard equalizer in the 87^th minute, and Enzugusi sped past defenders to deliver the game-winner in the 103^rd minute, sealing Drake's 2-1 win over Valparaiso in the first round of the conference tournament on Wednesday afternoon.
 
"I am delighted with our performance today," said Drake head coach Gareth Smith. "We knew it would be tough as Valpo dropped off, defended deep, and played on the counter. We dominated the possession, created 17 attempts on goal, and managed their counterattack well."
 
The Bulldogs tied a season high by peppering 17 shots, outshooting the Crusaders by 11 attempts. Antonio Sanchez set the tone in the second minute with a curling shot that narrowly avoided the top-right corner of goal before settling into a snow bank behind the net.
 
"With the elements, today was about finding a way to win, and our guys showed our winning mentality in difficult conditions," Smith said.
 
The wind chill at kickoff was seven degrees, and 20 mile an hour winds swirled over the frozen playing surface. The elements played a factor as Valparaiso struck first with a goal in the 17^th minute.
 
Mason Marcey settled into a soft spot in the defense and unleashed a shot from distance. The ball twisted and turned as it knuckled toward goal, trickily evading Luke Anderson and kissing the right post before finding the back of the net.
 
Valparaiso withstood intense pressure applied by Drake to take its 1-0 lead into halftime. The Bulldogs did not relent after the break, as Erik Fahner recorded a shot just 13 seconds into the second half.
 
Fahner hit side netting on a shot in the 57^th minute, and moments later Cole Poppen took a free kick that forced a remarkable save by Valpo's Edvin Holst.
 
Drake's prospects seemed dim in the 77^th minute when Enzugusi couldn't convert a quality look from the top of the box, and the Crusaders stemmed the tide to apply pressure of their own.
 
Anderson made two clutch saves in the 82^nd and 83^rd minutes to keep the Bulldogs in the game.
 
Drake's steadfastness paid dividends in the 87^th minute when Lucas Bartlett delivered what is surely one of the longest goals in program history.
 
The defender collected a pass 50 yards from goal and launched it forward, the ball gaining steam with the wind behind it.
 
Bartlett weighted his delivery perfectly as it snuck over the hands of a backpedaling Holst and under the crossbar to level the game at one and eventually send the contest to overtime. (View the goal here.)
 
As it began each half, Drake started quickly out of the gates in the first overtime. Austin Smythe forced a sprawling save in the 92^nd minute, and Enzugusi nearly called game on a free kick a minute later.
 
Valparaiso did well to see out the first 10 minutes of extra time, but the Crusaders couldn't keep the floodgates shut much longer.
 
Enzugusi and Bradan Allen connected on a give-and-go early in the second overtime, and Allen placed his pass so Enzugusi could get to it just outside the 18-yard box.
 
Allen's precision and Enzugusi's pace put Holst in a bind, and the keeper's split-second hesitation was enough for Enzugusi to beat him to the ball, take a touch past him, and fire home the game-winner. (View the goal here.)
 
"We had a clear gameplan and the guys showed patience and discipline to stick to it even though it took until the later stages of regular time," Smith said. "We then pushed on a level and found the game-winner through good link up play and final actions in the final third."
 
It was Enzugusi's team-leading eighth goal of the season, matching his total from 2018 when he was named first-team All-MVC.
 
"It was great to see Lucas get us back into the match, and Leroy showed up when it counted," Smith said. "That's what upperclassmen do. Now we prepare for Missouri State."
 
The No. 4 seed Bulldogs advance to take on No. 1 seed Missouri State on Friday in Chicago. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.