WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University men's soccer team fell to No. 10 Missouri State, 3-1, on Saturday afternoon at Tiger Field. It was Senior Day for nine Bulldogs.
 
Missouri State opened the scoring with an early goal in the 8^th minute before Liam Wilson equalized for Drake in the 40^th minute. The Bears (16-0-0, 10-0-0 MVC) responded with two goals in the 85^th and 87^th minutes to clinch a perfect regular season.

"Tough outcome to accept today as I thought we did enough to get something out of the game," said Drake head coach Gareth Smith. "Credit to Missouri State as they are a good team and have been excellent this season in finding ways to win. I would like to say thank you to all of our seniors for their service and investment into the program. They have been a great group to work with and have left a very positive impact on our program."
 
Missouri State drew first blood off a corner kick in the early stages. The Bears sent in a dangerous delivery that pinballed around the six-yard box before settling at the feet of Ben Stroud, who powered home the opening goal of the game.
 
The Bulldogs responded with a clinical set piece of their own. Cole Poppen sent in a pinpoint corner kick to Liam Wilson, who soared over his defender and headed home the equalizer, leveling the match at one just before halftime.
 
It was Poppen's third assist of the year and Wilson's second goal. The two also connected on a score just before halftime in Drake's match at Missouri State on Oct. 13.
 
Drake played admirably in the second half, controlling much of the run of play and finding success with deep passes into Missouri State's defensive third.
 
Leroy Enzugusi nearly scored a highlight-reel go-ahead goal in the 62^nd minute. He collected a long advancing pass and surveyed his surroundings, spotting Missouri State's goalkeeper too far off his line.
 
Enzugusi lofted a chip shot over the goalie, but his shot strayed just left, ricocheting off the post and into the arms of the keeper.

"The game at this level is decided on details in and around the boxes, and today was no different," Smith said. "At 1-1, we had two great opportunities to tip the game in our favor and just lacked the final action to take the lead. When you don't close out the chances, you leave the opposition in the game to come back at you."
 
The Bears scored the game-winner in the 85^th minute when Connor Langan made a run down the right flank and delivered an accurate cross to Matthew Bentley.
 
Bentley scored his MVC-leading 13^th goal of the season with a header that snuck into the back of the net.
 
Two minutes later, Josh Dolling added a goal for good measure with a powerful shot that hooked into the lower-left corner of net.
 
The Bulldogs finish the regular season 7-8-1 overall and 4-5-1 in MVC play.

"We turn our attention to the MVC Tournament in Chicago and focus on recovery as we get ready for the quarterfinal clash on Wednesday," Smith said.